A deal to sell the Winnipeg Sun and two other newspapers has been reached with former Tory cabinet minister and city councillor Kevin Klein.
Postmedia Network said Monday that an agreement has been reached to sell the Sun, Portage la Prairie’s Graphic Leader and the Kenora Miner and News to the Klein Group.
Employees at each of the newspapers are expected to continue in their roles, with no job losses expected, a Postmedia news release issued Monday morning said.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Kevin Klein, while environment and climate change minister, speaks to journalists about allegations calling into question his claims to Métis heritage in July.
Non-unionized employees will be offered their same job with the Klein Group, and unionized employees will “retain their current terms as presently contracted.”
Postmedia’s Winnipeg commercial print division and all associated digital properties and contracts are included in the sale, which is scheduled to close on June 1, subject to certain conditions.
“In an age where information is abundant and easily accessible, the role of local journalism is more crucial today than ever before,” Klein, the president and CEO of the Klein Group, said in the release.
“We are honoured to take ownership of these local newspapers and are dedicated to preserving their legacy of providing trusted, community-focused news. Our continued relationship with Postmedia will ensure that our readers benefit from both local insights and national perspectives, reaffirming our commitment to delivering comprehensive and relevant news coverage.”
Klein is a former publisher of the Sun. He also worked for now-disgraced former fashion mogul Peter Nygard before serving as a city councillor from 2018 to 2022 and a Tory MLA from 2022 to 2023. He was elected as MLA in a byelection and went on to serve as environment minister.
The Klein Group will “continue Postmedia’s long tradition of providing trusted and valuable journalism,” Postmedia CEO Andrew MacLeod.
“Our teams in Winnipeg, Portage and Kenora produce quality work that is critically important to their communities, and we’re thrilled that will continue under the new ownership group. Each paper’s local team will continue to be supported by the voices and opinions from Postmedia that Canadians rely on for information, diverse perspectives, and unique insights into national and international developments.”
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca