MONTREAL—Quebecor-owned Sun Media is shutting down 11 publications across Canada including its free 24 Hours dailies in Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. The closures will eliminate 360 jobs.

"In recent years, the print media industry has been going through an unprecedented transformation such as it has never seen before,” said Julie Tremblay, Sun Media chief operating officer, in Tuesday's release. "The management decisions we are making are difficult and highly regrettable, particularly the job cuts."

Tremblay said the closures and layoffs, which are expected to result in annual savings of approximately $55 million, are necessary to survive and succeed "in an industry that is being revolutionized by the advent of digital." Moving forward, the company said it plans to expand its presence across delivery platforms.

Aside from the three 24 Hours dailies, the other eight publications that are folding or have already ceased publication are: 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) and Le Progrès de Bellechasse (Québec).

PrintCAN has not heard back from Sun Media as to whether these closures affects any of Quebecor's printing facilities or employees. Updates will follow as the information comes. Anyone in the know can drop us a line.