News Job Cuts
Postmedia to lay off 80, permanently close 15 newspapers

Postmedia Network Inc. says it will lay off about 80 employees and permanently close 15 community newspapers, as the newspaper conglomerate navigates the financial fallout of COVID-19.

CEO Andrew MacLeod says in a memo to staff that the newspaper closures will happen in Manitoba and Ontario’s Windsor-Essex area.

About 30 people will lose their jobs as a result of the permanent closures.

The company will temporarily lay off about 50 people in its sales and sales operations teams for three months, after which it will re-evaluate the decision.

MacLeod says all staff earning $60,000 or more, except commissioned advertising sales representatives, will receive a salary reduction for at least three months.

The CEO will take a 30 per cent pay cut, while pay cuts for other staff will vary between five per cent and 20 per cent depending on their position.

List of papers closing

Manitoba

• Altona Red River Valley Echo
• Carman Valley Leader
• Interlake Spectator
• Morden Times
• Selkirk Journal
• Stonewall Argus & Teulon Times
• Winkler Times
• The Prairie Farmer

Ontario

• Kingsville Reporter
• Lakeshore News
• LaSalle Post
• Napanee Guide
• Paris Star
• Tecumseh Shoreline Week
• Tilbury Times

– with files from Talent Canada