One of Canada’s largest print companies has announced it will be permanently shutting down 15 community newspapers in Manitoba and Ontario.
Local newspapers in Altona, Carmen, Gimli, Morden, Selkirk, Stonewall and Winkler will publish their last print edition on Monday.
The Canadian Press reports the newspapers are being closed because they are not financially viable. Although digital subscriptions have soared for many traditional newspapers, some outlets say this has not made up for the collapse of print advertising industry-wide.
The Canadian government pledged $50 million dollars over a five year span to help support local journalism in Canada.
Former editor of the National Post, Ken Whyte, criticizes the support measure. Speaking to the Columbia Journalism Review, Whyte says the federal money may be too little, too late to make a difference in the struggling industry.