VANCOUVER — British Columbia legislator Teresa Wat expressed her deep sorrow upon learning about the impending closure of Ming Pao Daily News, the only Chinese-language daily newspaper in Canada. Wat, who served as an assignment editor at Ming Pao's Richmond, B.C., newsroom in 1996, emphasized that the publication has been more than just a newspaper—it has been a crucial lifeline for Chinese-speaking immigrants from various regions, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China.

According to Wat, Ming Pao provided not only news but also essential guidance on practical matters such as housing, employment, language barriers, and cultural integration. As the B.C. Conservative MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport, Wat highlighted how the newspaper captured the immigrant perspective and effectively blended Asian insights with local Canadian issues, thereby challenging stereotypes of the Chinese community.

Ming Pao made the announcement on Monday that its final editions in Vancouver and Toronto will be published on January 16, 2024, with its newsrooms and offices slated to close by January 31, 2024. The closure announcement included notices of termination for sixty staff members in British Columbia and an undisclosed number in Toronto. In 2014, the Toronto edition employed about 130 unionized staff, indicating a significant reduction in staffing over the years.

The Canadian editions of Ming Pao were launched in 1993, and the decision to close was made by its head office in Hong Kong. A letter obtained by The Canadian Press informed the B.C. Ministry of Labour of the layoffs, citing financial reasons as the driving factor for the permanent closure of the business. Despite efforts to secure government subsidies from the Canada Periodical Fund, as indicated by a petition launched in 2024, Ming Pao reported to have never received any funding. However, records from the Canadian Journalism Collective reveal that Ming Pao received over $1.1 million in 2025 through funding allocated under Canada’s Online News Act.

The challenges faced by the Chinese media sector reflect broader struggles within the English-language media landscape. Recently, Fairchild Radio received approval from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission to close its dedicated Chinese-language talk-radio AM 1470 station, transitioning some of its content to an FM platform. Wat expressed her concerns regarding the absence of a Chinese-language daily newspaper in Canada, marking a significant loss for the community. Notably, Ming Pao's primary rival in Canada, Sing Tao, ceased its Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary print editions in 2022, although it continues to operate its website.

Wat lamented that the closure would exacerbate feelings of isolation among older Chinese-speaking immigrants, who often read Ming Pao in Richmond dim sum restaurants as part of their daily routine. This absence may also weaken public accountability on issues crucial to immigrants and Chinese-speaking communities in Canada.

Austin Feng, who worked as a daily news reporter at Ming Pao from 2005 to 2017, recalled a vibrant era when multiple Chinese-language newspapers and TV stations flourished in British Columbia. Feng noted that there was high competition among local Chinese-language reporters, particularly for big show business and celebrity stories, with many Hong Kong entertainers maintaining residences in Vancouver or Toronto. He described this period as the "golden age of Chinese-language media," highlighting the intense demand from readers and the fierce competition among media outlets.

Wat reminisced about her experiences as an assignment editor, recalling how her day would start with her editor placing copies of both Sing Tao and Ming Pao in front of her. If Sing Tao outperformed Ming Pao on a story, her editor would question how the team missed it. This competitive environment generated both pressure and fulfillment, with a sense of elation whenever Ming Pao secured the scoop first.

While Feng was not surprised by Ming Pao's closure, as he had sensed the industry’s decline, he expressed sadness over the loss. He metaphorically described the situation as standing on the edge of a cliff, witnessing the shift from print to digital media while reminiscing about the era that shaped his career. However, Feng affirmed that storytelling itself will never die.