The Guelph Mercury will stop publishing its print edition, the paper's managing editor Phil Andrews told CBC News Monday.
Staff were told in a meeting at 11 a.m. Monday that the final edition of the paper will be published on Friday, said Andrews.
"This is indeed a sad day," said publisher Donna Luelo, in a press release published on the paper's website.
"The decision was not made lightly, but the decline of classified and national advertising in recent years has made it impossible for the printed copy of the daily newspaper to remain profitable."
Without the physical paper, 23 full-time and three part-time employees will lose their jobs. Eight jobs will be lost in the Mercury's editorial department.
In the release, owner Metroland Media Group said it will provide severance packages to affected employees.
'Intensely local' paper
The Guelph Mercury was first established as a local daily newspaper in 1867, making it one of the oldest daily papers in the country.
The paper's motto is "intensely local" and in 1950, it committed to putting 25 stories and 75 local names in every issue, according to the paper's website.
The @guelphmercury set to cease publication. If it wasn't for the Merc, I'd never have left sports & got into news. All the best to everyone
— Greg Layson (@GLaysonCBC) January 25, 2016
Absolutely gutted today by news about the @guelphmercury. Wishing the best for my friends and colleagues. #Guelph
— Scott Tracey (@scottjtracey) January 25, 2016
Despite that, the Mercury's circulation had recently declined to fewer than 9,000 home-delivery subscriptions, Metroland said.
In light of those numbers, Luelo said shutting down the print edition was "the only viable option."
Real estate publication Guelph and District Homes, the lifestyle magazine Guelph Life and the Guelph Tribune will all continue, Metroland said in the release.
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