VANCOUVER -- The Chinese-language newspaper, Ming Pao Daily News, which has operated newsrooms in Richmond, British Columbia, and Toronto, is set to permanently cease its Canadian operations. This announcement comes as a significant move for the publication, which has been a prominent source of news for the Chinese community in Canada since its inception.
A letter from Ming Pao Newspapers (Canada) addressed to the British Columbia Labour Ministry details the reasons behind the closure, citing “financial reasons” as the primary factor. The letter, which was obtained by The Canadian Press, indicates that approximately 60 employees have been terminated as part of this process. However, the letter does not specify the distribution of these layoffs between the B.C. and Toronto offices.
The effective date for the termination of the affected staff is set for January 31. According to an anonymous source, an editor at Ming Pao in Toronto confirmed that the newspaper would stop printing both its Vancouver and Toronto editions as of January 17. This move marks the end of an era for the publication, with both Canadian editions having been launched back in 1993.
Established in Hong Kong in 1959, Ming Pao has garnered a reputation for excellence in journalism, receiving numerous awards for its reporting. Notably, the Vancouver edition was recognized with a B.C. Jack Webster Award for best reporting in Chinese in 2018. Despite its accolades, the ongoing financial challenges have led to its unfortunate decline in the Canadian market.
Ming Pao’s offices in Richmond, Toronto, and Hong Kong have not responded to multiple requests for comments regarding the closure, leaving many questions unanswered for its readership and employees.
This closure represents a notable shift in the media landscape for the Chinese-speaking community in Canada, highlighting the broader challenges faced by print media amidst the digital transformation of news consumption. As traditional newspapers grapple with declining revenues and shifting audience preferences, stories like that of Ming Pao Daily News serve as poignant examples of the industry's struggles.
In conclusion, the decision to shut down the Canadian operations signifies both the challenges of maintaining a print publication and the evolving dynamics of media consumption in the modern age.
