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Orangeville Banner ceases printed paper as Metroland Media attempts to restructure under Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act

September 28, 2023   ·   0 Comments

The final print version of the Orangeville Banner hit Dufferin County’s doorsteps on Sept. 15.

The Banner and 70 other Metroland Media community newspapers are moving to a digital-only model as the parent company seeks protection and attempts a restructuring under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. 

Roughly 60 per cent of Metroland’s total workforce, or 605 employees, have been laid off.

Metroland says it does not have sufficient funds to provide severance to employees impacted by the staffing cuts, but those affected will have the opportunity to file a claim during the restructuring process for the amounts they were owed.

Unifor Local 87-M, representing 106 of Metroland’s unionized employees, issued a statement expressing their dismay with the media conglomerate’s decision not to pay the contractually obligated severances. The union said it will be taking legal action. 

Waterman shared that a lot has changed in the print media landscape over the past several years, impacting the viability of printed news. 

“Our newsrooms became digital first – meaning all stories, big or small, were available on our websites before they were published in print, and, as advertising dollars and newspapers shrunk, many stories never made it to print at all,” Waterman’s letter reads.

“The pandemic and continued losses in revenue pushed us out of our newsrooms and left us working virtually. Our ranks have dwindled dramatically. Becoming a digital-only business is the next step in our evolution – precipitated by the loss of revenue from print advertising and our flyer distribution business, as well as the stranglehold Big Tech has on digital advertising.”

She said Metroland remains committed to community journalism and providing readers with local information.

The Orangeville Citizen, Shelburne Free Press, and Caledon Citizen, are independently owned. They will continue to serve the community for years to come. 

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