The cuts announced yesterday by the Toronto Star are worrying, and we know this is a particularly tough time for people who are losing their jobs.

For years now, organizations like the Star have been focusing their energies online. The problem is that they haven’t yet figured out how to make digital profitable. The result of this business model is that media outlets are starving themselves, and hurting their employees in the process. It’s not clear how reducing the size of the advertising department or the editorial staff will help the Toronto Star achieve the revenue growth it says it needs to survive. We believe you cannot cut your way to greatness.

In his announcement to staff, publisher John Cruickshank says the company’s intent is to outsource much of the paper’s print design and page production functions to Pagemasters North America, where CMG represents staff. The details on this won’t be available for some time.  Discussions are ongoing between the Toronto Star and its union, the Southern Ontario Newspaper Guild, to mitigate the impact of the announced cuts. We encourage the two parties to reach a fair and equitable agreement.

We will keep you updated with any developments. In the meantime, please speak with Terry Pedwell or Keith Maskell (keith@cmg.ca) for any questions.