StarMetro Halifax to close next month

The entire StarMetro Halifax operation is shutting down in December.

The Toronto Star announced the closure of all of its Metro newspapers on Tuesday.

In Halifax, it affects four staff reporters and one editor — all of its editorial staff.

“It’s always been a little precarious,” said reporter Zane Woodford. “We knew the paper didn’t exactly make a lot of money so it’s not a huge surprise, but it’s kind of out the blue.”

A fairly unsurprising turn of events: the Toronto Star is shutting down the Star Metro newspapers across the country, which means I (and all my colleagues) will soon be out of a job. Last print edition coming Dec. 20.

— Taryn Grant (@tarynalgrant) November 19, 2019

The last paper will go to print on Dec. 20.

These layoffs are part of “major developments in our national development plan,” according to a leaked memo from Toronto Star president John Boynton.

NEW: Torstar memo on the closing of StarMetro daily print publications. Says 73 editorial, advertising and distribution employees will be laid off. Star plans to reopen digital bureaus in the affected cities. pic.twitter.com/10rbHW04lU

— Sean Craig (@sdbcraig) November 19, 2019

“Print advertising volumes have decreased significantly in recent months to levels below those required to make them commercially viable,” wrote Boynton.

The Star has decided to publish only digitally outside of Ontario. It will open a new digital-only bureau in Halifax.

Woodford said they will only be hiring one reporter for this bureau, and the position will be open to all journalists.

“It’s not like one of us just gets it. We have to apply for it,” he said.

The other Star Metros closing are in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto. There are a total of 73 jobs cut across the country in editorial, advertising and distribution areas.