Transcontinental Agrees to Sell 34 Community Newspapers

Transcontinental Inc. has agreed to sell 34 out of the 74 weekly newspapers it is buying from Quebcor Media Inc. in order to resolve the Competition Bureau’s concerns that the deal would lessen competition in the market for advertising in community newspapers in Quebec.

The consent agreement requires that the 34 community newspapers be sold to independent parties at no minimum price. Transcontinental has also agreed to continue to print and distribute these newspapers for the new owners for up to one year.

Read the Bureau’s Press Release, Position Statement, and the consent agreement.