Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
Saskatchewan

Only newspaper in Estevan, Sask., ends production after 122 years

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the paper's former editor and reporter David Willberg thanked readers, delivery people, advertisers and employers for their "unwavering support over the years."

Estevan Mercury was closed down by owner Glacier Media, released last issue Jan. 1

Laura Sciarpelletti · CBC News ·
A man reads a newspaper at a work desk.
Estevan Mayor Tony Sernick reads the last issue of the Estavan Mercury newspaper, released Jan. 1. (Submitted by Tony Sernick)

The Estevan Mercury, the only newspaper publishing in the southeastern Saskatchewan city, has been shut down by Glacier Media's Community Newspaper Group.

Its last edition was released Jan. 1. 

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, David Willberg, the paper's former editor and reporter, thanked readers, delivery people, advertisers and employers for their "unwavering support over the years."

According to Willberg, the Mercury, established in 1903, was Estevan's oldest business. The paper predates Saskatchewan becoming a province in 1905.

"We've been with the community every step of the way for the past 122 years," he said. 

Estevan Mayor Tony Sernick told CBC Thursday the Mercury has been a pillar in the city of roughly 11,000 since it was founded. 

"It's definitely very sad news and gut-wrenching," said Sernick, who said he has read the paper every Wednesday since the 1980s. 

A painted sign on a building reads 'Welcome to Estevan, The Energy City,' with the letters featuring a painting of a duck, a person, a water tower, a horse, a pump jack, agricultural equipment and a hockey player.
The Mercury, established in 1903, was Estevan's oldest business, according to its former editor. (Gale Tytlandsvik)

He said the community had only two sources for all-local news, but is now left with just one — the radio station Discover Estevan.

The Mercury kept the community bonded and colourful, Sernick said, covering everything from lemonade stands to city council meetings. 

"Growing up as a kid playing hockey and sports and everything, it was always an ongoing joke … 'Hey, we might make the front page of the Mercury!"

Sernick finally did make that front page when he was elected mayor. He said his mayoral speech recapping 2024 was informed by what he read in the Estevan Mercury in its end-of-year issue.

Now, the last issue sits beside him on his work desk. 

But despite the beloved community staple closing down, Sernick said he's optimistic. 

"Honestly, with the way this city rolls, I expect a journalist, author, entrepreneur to maybe resurrect something. It may not be called the Mercury, but I fully expect over the next year to see something resurrected as well to help out, for sure."

In the meantime, Willberg said people can continue to read articles from the Estevan area on the provincial news hub SaskToday.

As of Thursday evening, Glacier Media had not yet commented on why it shut the small newspaper down. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Sciarpelletti

Journalist & Radio Columnist

Laura is a journalist for CBC Saskatchewan. She is also the community reporter for CBC's virtual road trip series Land of Living Stories and host of the arts and culture radio column Queen City Scene Setter, which airs on CBC's The Morning Edition. Laura previously worked for CBC Vancouver. Some of her former work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, NYLON Magazine, VICE Canada and The Tyee. Laura specializes in human interest, arts and health care coverage. She holds a master of journalism degree from the University of British Columbia. Send Laura news tips at [email protected]

    CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News
    Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|

    Related Stories