Saskatchewan newspaper predating province's formation ceases publication

Mercury newspaper ceases publication WATCH: After more than 120 years, the Estevan Mercury has come to an end. Wayne Mantyka has the details.

Older than the province of Saskatchewan itself, the Estevan Mercury has now ceased publication after more than a century of operation.

The newspaper’s former editor made the announcement on social media Wednesday, informing readers that the Jan. 1 edition was the paper’s last.

“We want to thank our readers, advertisers, employees, delivery people and the residents of southeast Saskatchewan for their unwavering support over the years,” the message read.

Established in 1903, the Mercury held the crown of being Estevan’s oldest business.

Estevan Mayor Tony Sernick said it’s a sad time for the community.

“Everybody was proud when they made the front page, that was a big deal for 122 years again there will be no more of that in our community [but] times are changing,” Sernick said.

The company that owns the paper said loss of advertising revenue made printing it no longer viable.

Gord Brewerton, VP and group publisher of Glacier Media said that didn’t make the decision any easier though.

Brewerton said the Mercury faithfully served Estevan for all 122 years of existence.

“It was a particularity difficult decision to close The Mercury,” he said. “Sadly, it is a reflection of the difficult landscape faced by local media this day and age,” Brewerton added.

Estevan MLA Lori Carr has long been associated with the paper, and says she knows many people responsible for its years of service.

“Throughout the years I’ve known all of the editors whether it be on volunteer committees or even just dealing with them through the paper. I was thinking back when I was a teenager helping deliver some of the papers at that point in time, it really is a community thing and it’s really going to be missed,” Carr said.

Right now, it’s not known how many people could be laid off.

Brian Zinchuk spent 17 years with The Mercury before leaving to start an online publication.

“The thing about community papers is that they provide this history and record not just of the town and the goings on, but the people, everything from birth announcements to kids starting Kindergarten to graduation, wedding announcements and eventually their obituaries. There’s entire generations of people who lived in Estevan, their entire life was documented by this paper.”

Estevan’s news will continue to be provided by the paper’s online affiliate Sask Today.

Several other Saskatchewan newspapers including Regina’s Leader Post and Saskatoon’s Star Phoenix relied on The Mercury for printing, currently it’s not known how those publications may be affected.

-- With files from Wayne Mantyka.