Ottawa Sun staff laid off as Ottawa Citizen, Sun newsrooms merge
Buyouts to be offered to Ottawa Citizen staff
The Ottawa Citizen and Ottawa Sun newsrooms will merge, though Postmedia will continue to print two separate newspapers, the chain announced Tuesday amid about 90 layoffs in several major Canadian cities.
In Ottawa, 12 Sun staff members were laid off. Another round of buyouts will be offered to Citizen staff.
Employees of the Sun moved into the Citizen building on Baxter Road months ago after Postmedia acquired the Sun chain, but until now had been working in separate offices.
Both papers will now be produced by one set of staff.
"Journalism needs lots of voices. It needs lots of opinions and we keep losing those," said Debbie Cole, a representative of the Communications Workers of America union, which represents Citizen editorial staff.
"I don't think it's good. I don't think the strategy of continuing to get rid of things that provide content is going to help in the long run but we'll see what happens. It's going to be strange in the next week or so as the two newsrooms try to work together."
Cole said the Citizen newsroom is already "pretty lean" after previous cuts and buyouts in recent years.
Sun newsroom 'slashed'
Sun staff are represented by a different union, Unifor Local 87-M.
Sun staff who announced their layoffs publicly Tuesday include Corey Larocque, Chris Hofley, Mike Sutherland-Shaw, Tony Spears, Dani-Elle Dube, Don Wilcox, Keaton Robbins and Matt Day.
Hofley, who has been with the Sun for nearly four years, said he expected a change after Postmedia acquired the chain last year but had hoped his job was not in jeopardy.
Back on the market. After a year at <a href="https://twitter.com/ottawasuncom">@ottawasuncom</a>, I am looking forward to what's next. I am among today's cuts at Postmedia.
—@Corey_LarocqueI'm no longer a part of the Ottawa Sun. Devastated doesn't begin to describe it. Thanks for the run.
—@chrishofleyThanks for the run, <a href="https://twitter.com/ottawasuncom">@ottawasuncom</a>. Wish my verified account had a different handle! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/twitter">@twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/verified">@verified</a> <a href="https://t.co/5rkIjvaLVO">pic.twitter.com/5rkIjvaLVO</a>
—@OttawaSunMikeHorrible. I'm no longer employed at the Ottawa Sun. Very thankful for the friends I've made and the experiences gained.
—@mattdaymediaThank you journos for an amazing time at the Sun. Yes, I was part of the restructuring. This just means an opportunity for new beginnings
—@danielledube13Dedication in AJ Liebling's Wayward Press (ca. 1948). So long and thanks for all the fish. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/PlXluV8U0C">pic.twitter.com/PlXluV8U0C</a>
—@ottawasuntonysHad amazing 19 1/2 years <a href="https://twitter.com/ottawasuncom">@ottawasuncom</a>. Would not trade a minute. Best of luck to others also moving on today. Let's stay in touch.
—@donw_ottawaYa. I was one of the casualties at the Ottawa Sun. Loved my time there. Don't regret moving from Toronto to take this gig.
—@Keaton_RobbinsSun columnist Susan Sherring was not laid off but said it was "very hard" to watch her colleagues go.
"The Ottawa Sun newsroom has really been slashed," she said.