Cuts to English weekly newspaper:

West Quebec Post on life-support

Publishers of one of Canada’s oldest weekly newspapers are keeping the West Quebec Post in print, barely. Publishing since 1895, this English-language weekly has been put on life-support as owners re-organize. By cutting the press run from 5,975 down to subscriptions-only numbers, and reducing staff, publishers hope the paper can survive into the new year. “Publishing in a minority-language situation has become too much of a burden here in Outaouais,” co-owner Lily Ryan said about the paper’s retrenchment.

“Our newsroom is still bustling, calls come in, letters to the editor – all this tells us there is a future and a need for newspapers, especially in minority-language populations not served by the mass-market media based elsewhere. Financing this transition to a new publishing model for the West Quebec Post is becoming increasingly difficult. Our local economy is not thriving, as it also competes with national outlets and international brands. Governments and their departments no longer inform smaller communities, especially minority ones, of new programs and initiatives through paid advertising. We rely on local business support, but we face too many outstanding bills for printing and distribution.”

The cuts in the Post’s circulation are to its free-distribution copies, specifies co-owner Sophia Ryan. “Our paid subscriptions will be honoured until further notice while we re-evaluate our means to serve all the small towns that depend on us for their local news and minority-situation analysis.”

“The Post team is committed to publishing, as professional journalism is key to the future of democracy,” noted Lily Ryan.

Subscriptions to the West Quebec Post are available at 819 684-4755.