MING PAO Daily News, a prominent Chinese-language newspaper with newsrooms in Richmond, British Columbia, and Toronto, is set to close its Canadian operations due to financial difficulties. The decision was communicated in a letter from Ming Pao Newspapers (Canada) to the British Columbia Labour Ministry, indicating that the closure is permanent.
The letter, which was made available to The Canadian Press, revealed that approximately 60 employees have been laid off as part of this closure. However, the exact number of employees affected in each location, namely B.C. and Toronto, has not been disclosed. The termination date for the affected staff is designated as January 31, 2026.
According to an unnamed editor from the Toronto office of Ming Pao, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak on the matter, the newspapers' Vancouver and Toronto editions will cease printing on January 17, 2026. This marks a significant end to a publication that has served the Chinese-speaking community in Canada for decades.
Ming Pao originally founded its Canadian editions in 1993, expanding its reach beyond its Hong Kong roots where it has been in operation since 1959. The newspaper has garnered numerous accolades for its journalism over the years, including the B.C. Jack Webster Award in 2018 for the best reporting in Chinese. The closure of the Canadian operations highlights a concerning trend of financial challenges faced by print media in the current digital age, particularly among niche publications.
Despite its prestigious history and the recognition received in the Canadian journalism landscape, Ming Pao's inability to sustain its operations indicates the daunting realities of the print media industry. The offices in Richmond, Toronto, and Hong Kong did not respond to inquiries seeking further information regarding the closure, leaving many questions about the future of the publication and its impact on readers in Canada.
This announcement resonates well beyond its employees, affecting many members of the Chinese-speaking community who relied on Ming Pao for news and information relevant to their culture and daily lives. The lasting impact of this shutdown may leave a significant void in the media landscape for the community it served.
