3 Metro Vancouver community news outlets to close as parent company cites 'financial challenges'

Glacier Media has announced the upcoming closure of three Metro Vancouver community news websites, and the mayor of New Westminster says he's worried about the impact.

A statement posted online says Burnaby Now and the New Westminster Record will close no later than April 21 and Tri-City News will close by May 21.

The statement says Glacier Media "explored all possible options to maintain operations" but the industry's "ongoing financial challenges have made it unsustainable."

It says it has been a privilege and an honour to serve the community for more than 40 years.

The three publications spent decades as print newspapers but in August 2023 transitioned to online-only.

Publisher Lara Graham says in the statement that news of the closures is a very sad day for employees, readers and local journalism.

"We're incredibly proud of the work we've done and we're so grateful to our hardworking staff who have made these publications so special, and to our loyal readers and advertisers who have supported us over the years," she said.

In a statement posted to Facebook, New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone commended the work done by journalists who worked at community newspapers in his city.

"They did journalism, and stood behind the ethics and responsibility that came with that noble term," he wrote.

Johnstone said he is concerned about the effect the closures will have on his community and others in the region. 

"I am also terrified of the impact this has on all of us, because I don't know what a community is when it can no longer tell its stories.," he said.