12 buy-outs confirmed at the Ottawa Citizen
By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor
Twelve people have taken buy-outs at the Ottawa Citizen, a Postmedia spokesperson confirmed.
Georgia Sourtzis, a communications manager at Postmedia, said she cannot name who in the newsroom has taken a buy-out.
A list circulated on Twitter had 15 names, including editor Andrew Potter, who actually announced his departure on Jan. 12, a week before Postmedia announced its voluntary buy-out program. Potter left the Citizen to take a job at McGill University.
Sourtizis could only confirm 12 buyouts. A source told J-Source that all the departures were by choice.
Among those who have announced or confirmed they are leaving are a senior editor, a top national affairs reporter and the homes editor.
Drew Gragg, deputy editor, confirmed to J-Source that he was leaving but did not confirm if he was taking a buy-out.
Sad to be leaving @OttawaCitizen on Feb. 19. Thanks to readers, advertisers, editors and colleagues for a wonderful 18+ years.
— Glen McGregor (@glen_mcgregor) February 8, 2016
Some personal news: After more than 27 years at the Citizen, 5 in Homes & Condos, the time has come for me to take on a new challenge. 1/4
— Anita Murray (@anita_murray) February 8, 2016
Anita Murray, homes editor, told J-Source she was leaving the Citizen of her own accord. Glen McGregor, national affairs reporter, said his departure was voluntary and amicable.
The buy-outs were announced in the wake of cuts at Postmedia last month that saw 90 people lose their jobs. Sourtzis said buy-outs have not yet been offered at the Province, in Vancouver, and no voluntary buy-outs were offered in Alberta.
In 2014, there were seven buy-outs at the Citizen.
Those remaining in the now merged Citizen–Ottawa Sun newsroom were quick to point out that reporters are still there, reporting on Ottawa’s news.
.@tylerrdawson @kinsellawarren @OttawaCitizen gonna leave these tweets from yesterday right here pic.twitter.com/kghQGw5sJd
— Drake Fenton (@drakefenton) February 11, 2016
Hey look, I’m at the @OttawaCitizen and the lights are Still. Fucking. On. Just try to turn them off. pic.twitter.com/81o7Ulau1l
— Alan Kors (@alkors) February 11, 2016
H.G. Watson can be reached at hgwatson@j-source.ca or on Twitter.
H.G. Watson was J-Source's managing editor from 2015 to 2018. She is a journalist based in Toronto. You can learn more about her at hgwatson.com.
