Business · Owen Sound closureTC Transcontinental to Close Owen Sound Plant, Affecting About 360 WorkersAired October 18, 2026 at 1:56 AM UTCWritten October 18, 2026 at 1:59 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07TC Transcontinental is closing its Owen Sound printing plant.0:11About 360 employees face losing their workplace by the end of January 2027, while0:16its production continues elsewhere in Canada.0:19How many will secure another job before the plant shuts?0:22About 360 employees are affected by the closure.0:25That figure describes the workforce facing the shutdown.0:28The eventual number left without work will depend on whether employees find other0:31jobs or secure transfers.0:33Employees in Owen Sound, Ontario, learned their plant would close at a company0:37called Meeting.0:38TC Transcontinental plans to move the work through its national printing network,0:42leaving this community without that workplace.0:44TC Transcontinental announced the closure on October 14, 2026, and set the shutdown0:50for the end of January 2027.0:52The company estimated about three and a half months to redistribute production to0:56five other Canadian plants.0:58The company says Canadian demand for printed marketing materials has steadily1:02declined.1:02It also points to productivity improvements across its printing network and changes1:06in the mix of products it makes.1:08Those are management's explanations for closing Owen Sound.1:11More productive plants can handle the remaining orders in fewer locations, even as1:15demand falls.1:17TC Transcontinental plans to continue producing the work now handled in Owen Sound.1:21Its decision concentrates that production elsewhere and removes the local plant.1:25Patrick Braley, the company's chief operating officer, says U.S.1:29tariffs had nothing to do with the decision.1:31The company attributes the shutdown to changes in its printing business and the way1:35it operates its network.1:36The receiving plants haven't been named for employees.1:39The practical issue is whether those facilities have jobs they can take.1:42The company hasn't announced confirmed internal transfer offers or relocation1:46assistance for the affected Owen Sound workforce.1:49The company acknowledged the impact on employees, their families, and the community1:53in its October 14th notice.1:55It promised regular information, respectful treatment, and support through the1:59transition.1:59The notice also set out a timetable for follow-up discussions.2:03Employees were promised invitations to small group meetings within 24 to 48 hours of2:07that October 14th notice.2:09The purpose was to provide details and answer questions.2:12That was the company's commitment at the announcement.2:14Whether those meetings took place hasn't been confirmed.2:17The company has also promised career transition services, but hasn't specified the2:21provider, eligibility, timing, or funding.2:24Workers still need details about severance payments and what happens to their2:27benefits and pensions as the plant closes.2:29YMCA Employment Services was ready to help by October 15th.2:33The YMCA, Gray County, and Ontario MPP Paul Vickers were organizing job search2:38assistance, retraining, and transition support.2:41The details available don't spell out the YMCA's specific services.2:44Paul Vickers pledged government support for workers exploring new careers and2:48retraining.2:49He expressed disappointment at the closure in his October 16th statement.2:53The assistance being organized offers routes toward new employment, with placements2:56still to be secured.2:58The operation's local printing routes reach back to Richardson, Bond, and Wright in3:011853.3:03TC Transcontinental has been part of Owen Sound since 1992.3:07The city recognized that history in its response to the closure on October 15th.3:11The company has a plan to move production to five other Canadian plants.3:15The workers' next jobs are still unresolved.3:17Nobody has said how many of the roughly 360 affected employees have secured3:21continuing employment ahead of the end of January 2027 shutdown.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗