The long knives started slashing in 2000, year zero of the Asper regime. First to go was political writer Lawrence Martin, who had been reporting Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s questionable dealings in Shawinigan. Next to be fired was Russell Mills, longtime publisher of the Ottawa Citizen. His paper had run an editorial that also challenged the Chrétien Liberals to do a better job, a big no-no at CanWest. Mills sued for wrongful dismissal and settled out of court.

David Beers, former chief features writer at the Vancouver Sun, was told by phone that he was “terminated.” His transgression? He had written columns that were both good and critical of CanWest pet issues – a recipe for quick dismissal.

And then there’s the layoffs. One hundred and thirty people were simultaneously shown the door at the National Post soon after CanWest took over. Then came cancellation of entire sections, Saturday Night magazine, closing the Southam news bureau, the gutting of the parliamentary bureau . . . the list goes on and on and on.

Read the opinions of these and other former CanWesters here: