Industry experts said that the mass layoffs of over 600 people announced on September 15 by Metroland Media, along with news that the publishing chain Nordstar plans to end print for most of its seventy community newspapers across Ontario, will have implications for the health of democracy.

The layoffs included 68 journalists, while the cuts at Nordstar mean there will be no more community newspapers covering local events ranging from the campaign to build a local hospital to late-night school board meetings.

Six newspapers owned by Nordstar survived, including the Hamilton Spectator, Peterborough Examiner, St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review, Welland Tribune, and Waterloo Region Record, which will continue to be published in print and online.

For his part, Karim Bardisi, the Executive Director of the Dais Public Policy and Leadership Institute at Metropolitan University in Toronto and a former journalist, said that closures and layoffs are not good news for accountability, as they mean fewer eyes on local government staff.

He added that there is some evidence that in news deserts or areas with less interest in local politics, there is a correlation between that and greater local corruption.

He explained that politicians or activists cannot replace well-resourced journalism to delve into an issue.

He also said that sometimes it just takes one journalist working in a local community to draw attention to what might be happening at the city level.

Bryan Capitao aspired to be that kind of journalist. He said his stories on issues like housing led to discussions in council and brought about changes in policy.

He added, "It made me feel good because there was a real cause and effect there." Without a local journalist, I think there would be a void.

But on September 15, he was informed that he would lose his job as a municipal affairs reporter at Vaughan Citizen, a Metroland newspaper.

The layoffs and the cancellation of print newspapers have raised concerns among some in political power, with Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy saying she is very worried about how community members will get the information they need.

Roy said that the city has long published ads in print newspapers, describing it as a key communication tool, especially for seniors. She said community events and information about potential real estate developments and candidate events during elections are published in the newspaper.

And the city will look for ways to bridge the communication gap, but it will not be easy.

Roy also clarified that many issues, such as the campaign to build a new hospital in Whitby, received most of their coverage thanks to the work of a local Metroland reporter.