Sun Media closing 11 papers, cutting 360 jobs

Sun Media Corp. says it’s cutting 360 positions and closing 11 publications across the country, including its 24 Hours free daily newspapers in Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. The Montreal-based company says the plan is expected to yield annual savings of approximately $55 million.

Among the axed publications are the commuter-focused free papers known as 24 Hours in Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. Versions of that paper in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto will continue to exist.

In addition to the three versions of 24 Hours, these publications will soon cease publication:

L’Action Régionale in Montérégie (Québec). The Lindsay Daily Post (Ontario). The Midland Free Press (Ontario). The Meadow Lake Progress(Saskatchewan). The Lac du Bonnet Leader (Manitoba). The Beausejour Review (Manitoba). Le Magazine Saint-Lambert (Québec). Le Progrès de Bellechasse (Québec). The plan is expected to save $55 million. Sun Media laid off 500 employees and shuttered two publishing facilities as recently as November 2012.