Montreal: The Toronto Star newspaper has hired an outside printer and plans to shutter its press and lay off 285 workers, the company announced on Friday.
Canada's largest circulation daily said in a statement that moving to an off-site printer will allow it to save Can$10 million (US$6.88 million) each year.
"This move will allow us to focus our efforts increasingly on creating great content and engaging audiences across many platforms, while at the same time reducing costs and improving the production quality of the newspaper," said publisher John Cruickshank.
The new printer, Transcontinental Printing, the publisher said, "has newer, more modern presses and this decision will result in our very loyal print readers and subscribers receiving a high-quality print product with enhanced reproduction."
The agreement between the two companies is for five years, with the possibility to extend the deal.
The newspaper's parent company TorStar will sell its 675,000 square foot printing facility in Vaughan, Ontario, and surrounding 43 acres of land, the company said.
No date has been set for the layoffs. The Toronto Star said it would develop a transition plan with its employee union.
The move is not expected to impact delivery of the newspaper, which boasts a circulation of 240,000 on weekdays, and 375,000 for its Saturday edition.
AFP
