Alberta: Postmedia announces layoffs, to make 12 papers digital-only

Newspaper publisher Postmedia, after selling the Calgary Herald building for $17.25 million to U-Haul Co., announced on Wednesday that it is moving 12 of its Alberta papers to the digital-only format, and will be laying off an unknown number of workers due to the same.

According to media reports, the newspaper publishing firm had been trying to sell the building for over a decade. The firm also intends to put its Saskatoon building up for sale and are looking to sublease a property in Regina.

The switch to the digital-only format will also cost an unspecified number of employees to lose their jobs, according to media reports.

The 12 newspapers making the switch have not been specified by Postmedia, although the publication stated that the transfer to digital format will be made on February 27, alongside outsourcing more of its printing work.

Drayton Valley Western Review, Airdrie Echo, Peace Country News, Fort McMurray Today, Leduc County Market, Cochrane Times, Bow Valley Crag and Canyon, Cold Lake Sun, Hanna Herald, Vermilion Standard, Pincher Creek Echo and Whitecourt Star were many of the publications who announced the change.

Postmedia, according to media reports, has also entered into a limited liability project with Glacier Media and assigned all its Saskatchewan-based printing to Estevan Printing.