Quebecor founder Pierre Péladeau and British tabloid publisher Robert Maxwell teamed up to launch a competing English-language newspaper against The Gazette.
But late in 1989, reports of losses and failure to attain circulation goals led to rumours of the paper's impending demise.
In November that year, Péladeau indicated that the paper's survival would depend on either a substantial increase in paid circulation, or a buyer.
[4] Original publisher George MacLaren had given way to James Duff, who in turn was dismissed in August.
[5] Quebecor finally closed the Montreal Daily News, with its last issue published 15 December 1989.