The Toronto Star (TorStar) is shutting down its StarMetro commuter newspapers across Canada. An internal memo Tuesday said final print editions in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax will be published December 20. The reason for the end of publication is commuter preferences for smartphones, laptops and tablets to access their news,” Bob Hepburn said in an email. As the owners of the Washington Express subway tab snarled in September: “Hope you enjoy your stinkin’ phones.” The email sent to staff by Torstar president and CEO John Boynton stated: “print advertising volumes have decreased significantly in recent months to levels below those required to make them commercially viable.” It seems as many as 73 employees would be “affected” by the closures.
