Metroland Media plans to end the print editions of its 70-plus weekly community newspapers; like the Mississauga News, Oakville Beaver, Burlington Post, Etobicoke Guardian, and Scarborough and North York Mirror.

It’ll also end the flyer business as the company seeks protection under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act as part of restructuring.

That means the loss of just over 600 jobs or about six-in-ten of the total workforce.

The company says the decision’s the result of unsustainable financial losses stemming from the changing preferences of consumers and advertisers.

Under restructuring, Metroland’s community publications will move to digital only.

Meanwhile, the company’s six dailies; Hamilton Spectator, St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review, Welland Tribune and Waterloo Region Record, will continue both in print and online.

Metroland is owned by NordStar Capital, that also owns the Toronto Star, which is not part of the restructuring.