The Toronto Star: A History of Journalism and Social Advocacy

Founded in the late 19th century, The Toronto Star has evolved from a scrappy publication born of a labor strike into one of Canada's most influential media institutions. Throughout its existence, the paper has balanced the tension between sensationalist reporting and a deep-seated commitment to social reform, shaping the landscape of Canadian social policy for over a century.

Founding and Early Struggles

The Star was established in 1892 by striking printers and writers from the Toronto News. This effort was led by Horatio Clarence Hocken, a social reformer and future mayor of Toronto, alongside Jimmy Simpson, who also later served as mayor. In its infancy, the paper relied on the presses of the Toronto World, which held a 51 percent silent partnership in the venture.

This partnership was short-lived. Following rumors that the World's proprietor, William Findlay "Billy" Maclean, intended to sell the paper to the Riordon family, the Star's staff launched an extensive fundraising campaign. This allowed Hocken to buy out Maclean's interest.

Despite this independence, the paper struggled financially in its early years. Hocken sold his stake within a year, and the publication passed through several owners before being acquired in 1896 by railway entrepreneur William Mackenzie. Under the leadership of editors Edmund E. Sheppard and Frederic Thomas Nicholls, the operation was relocated to the building housing Saturday Night magazine.

The Era of Joseph E. Atkinson

The trajectory of the newspaper changed permanently on December 13, 1899, when Joseph E. "Holy Joe" Atkinson purchased the paper. Backed by supporters of Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier—including Senator George Cox, William Mulock, Peter Charles Larkin, and Timothy Eaton—Atkinson became the controlling shareholder.

Atkinson's tenure, which lasted until his death in 1948, was marked by a duality of style. The paper was often criticized for yellow journalism—a style of reporting that emphasizes sensationalism and crime over hard news—yet it simultaneously used its platform to champion the interests of ordinary citizens.

Atkinson was a fierce advocate for the foundations of the modern welfare state, pushing for unemployment insurance, old age pensions, and universal health care. His close friendship with Prime Minister Mackenzie King is credited as a major influence on the development of Canadian social policy. Internationally, the Star was one of the first North American newspapers to be banned in Germany due to its early and consistent opposition to the Nazi regime.

The Atkinson Principles

Before his death in 1948, Atkinson transferred ownership to a charitable organization to preserve the paper's liberal traditions. However, the Ontario government's Charitable Gifts Act of 1949 prohibited charities from owning profit-making businesses. To circumvent this, five trustees purchased the paper themselves, swearing before the Supreme Court of Ontario to uphold the Atkinson Principles:

• A strong, united, and independent Canada
• Social justice
• Individual and civil liberties
• Community and civic engagement
• The rights of working people
• The necessary role of government

Media Expansion and Diversification

Under Atkinson's leadership, the Star expanded beyond print. From 1910 to 1973, it published the Star Weekly magazine. The company also ventured into radio with station CFCA (broadcasting at 400 metres/749.48 kHz) from 1922 to 1933. This station eventually closed following the creation of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC) and new power restrictions on private stations, though the Star continued providing sponsored content to the CRBC's CRCT station (later CBC's CBL) until 1946.

Modern Evolution: 1971 to 2019

In 1971, the publication was renamed The Toronto Star and moved to a modern International-style tower at One Yonge Street. The original building at 80 King Street West was demolished to make way for First Canadian Place.

The 1970s and 80s saw further growth, including the launch of The Sunday Star on October 16, 1977, and the first morning edition in 1981. In 1992, printing operations moved to the Toronto Star Press Centre in Vaughan.

The 21st century brought various format experiments and structural changes. In 2007, the paper attempted a redesign with larger type and a heavier focus on local news, though it reverted to its previous format in 2009. The paper also experimented with a digital-only afternoon edition, Star P.M., which ran from 2006 to 2007.

Economic pressures led to significant shifts in the 2010s. In 2016, the Vaughan printing presses were closed and outsourced to Transcontinental Printing to prioritize digital growth. While the paper expanded into other cities via StarMetro (a joint venture with Metro International) and acquired iPolitics in 2018, these ventures were short-lived; StarMetro ceased publication in 2019, and iPolitics was sold in 2022.

The Nordstar Era and Digital Transition

Facing severe economic headwinds, Torstar's board voted to sell the company to the investment firm NordStar Capital in May 2020. After a bidding war with Canadian Modern Media Holdings, NordStar acquired the company for CA$ 60 million, transitioning Torstar into a privately held company.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the paper's physical downsizing. With the rise of remote work, the need for massive office spaces diminished. In November 2022, the newspaper officially moved its headquarters from One Yonge Street to a new location at the Well on Spadina Avenue and Front Street.

Key Facts

• Founded: 1892 by Horatio Clarence Hocken and Jimmy Simpson.
• Key Figure: Joseph E. Atkinson, editor from 1899 to 1948.
• Core Values: Guided by the "Atkinson Principles" focusing on social justice and civil liberties.
• Major Shift: Sold to NordStar Capital in 2020 for CA$ 60 million.
• Headquarters: Currently located at the Well on Spadina Avenue and Front Street.

Year	Event	Significance
1892	Foundation	Created by striking printers and writers.
1899	Atkinson Acquisition	Shift toward social advocacy and liberal tradition.
1949	Atkinson Principles	Legal commitment to social justice and independence.
1971	Renaming	Became "The Toronto Star" and moved to One Yonge St.
2020	NordStar Takeover	Transition to a privately held company.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded The Toronto Star?

The paper was founded in 1892 by Horatio Clarence Hocken and Jimmy Simpson, both of whom later became mayors of Toronto, along with a group of striking printers and writers.

What are the Atkinson Principles?

The Atkinson Principles are a set of guiding values established to preserve the paper's liberal tradition. They include commitments to social justice, individual and civil liberties, the rights of working people, and a strong, independent Canada.

Why was the paper banned in Germany?

The Toronto Star was one of the first North American newspapers banned in Germany because of its early and consistent criticism and opposition to the Nazi regime.

How did the paper's ownership change in 2020?

Torstar was sold to the investment firm NordStar Capital for CA$ 60 million, which turned the company into a privately held entity.

Where is the Toronto Star headquartered now?

As of November 2022, the newspaper moved its headquarters from One Yonge Street to a new location at the Well on Spadina Avenue at Front Street.