COVID-19 Media Impact Map for Canada: Great West Newspapers

Between the end of March and beginning of April, Great West Newspapers stopped publishing  print editions of 10 community newspapers in Alberta and merged local content into three regional print and digital editions. 

Local content that previously appeared in print editions of the Athabasca Advocate, Barrhead Leader and Westlock News is now consolidated into the weekly print publication Town & Country This Week and appears on townandcountrytoday.com. 

Local content that previously appeared in print editions of the Bonnyville Nouvelle, Elk Point Review, Lac La Biche Post and St. Paul Journal is now consolidated into the weekly print publication Lakeland This Week and appears on lakelandtoday.ca.

Local content that previously appeared in print editions of the Mountain View Albertan, Sundre Roundup and Innisfail Province (which has its own daily newsletter) is now consolidated into the weekly print publication The Albertan and appears on mountainviewtoday.ca.

In the spring, a number of employees were temporarily laid off and about a dozen employees temporarily had their work weeks shortened. 

Most employees working reduced hours have had their hours restored and approximately six employees were recalled in September and October. Approximately 30 layoffs became permanent, representing about 15 per cent of the workforce. These layoffs include sales and administration employees and 7 in news (proofreading, photographers, sports).