About Us
History of The Toronto Star
In 1892 Toronto was a bustling city of 180,000 with six newspapers competing for readers when a seventh daily, a self-styled "Paper for the People", suddenly appears on the streets.
Born on November 3, 1892, The Evening Star had been created almost overnight by 21 printers and four teenage apprentices who were locked out during a labour dispute at the afternoon News. Their aim was to publish a serious journal - and possibly to teach the News a lesson. Little did they realize that their bright new four-page sheet would grow into Canada's largest daily newspaper, The Toronto Star.
Learn more about the history of The Toronto Star or Joseph E. Atkinson.
You can also view an interactive timeline about Joseph E. Atkinson or watch the video Fighting Words: The Social Crusades of Joseph E. Atkinson.
The Toronto Star Today
Today, the Toronto Star is Canada's largest daily newspaper, with the largest
readership in the country. It is published seven days a week in the Greater
Toronto Area and is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The newspaper is printed at its production
facility, The Toronto Star Press Centre, located in Vaughan, just north of
Toronto. The Press Centre houses six MAN Roland presses and its extensive
capacity allows for the use of full colour throughout the newspaper every day
for both editorial and advertising purposes.
The Toronto Star Statement of Principles
The Star's basic aim as a news organization is to engage in the
full and frank dissemination of news and opinion, and to do so working
within the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Our core mission as defined by Toronto Star publisher Joseph E. Atkinson is to focus public attention on
injustices of all kinds and on reforms designed to correct them.
Read more about the Toronto Star's Statement of Principles.
The Toronto Star Charities
The Toronto Star publisher, Joseph E. Atkinson, believed that his newspaper had a social responsibility to its readers and the people of Toronto. Having experienced childhood poverty, Atkinson created a charity more than a century ago that helped needy children during the summer months. A few short years later, he realized yet again that there was a need to help less-privileged children at Christmas … a time of year most enjoyed by children. And so the two charities were created … to help put a smile on the face of children.
The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund
The Fresh Air Fund was established to help children escape the sweltering city during a heat wave in 1901. The tradition continues today to assist children in need. Thousands of children each summer have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of summer camp.
Read more about The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund.
The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund
During an economic recession in 1906, the Santa Claus Fund was created to give Christmas gifts to less privileged children who, otherwise, would not have any gifts to open Christmas morning.
Read more about The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
Masthead
John D. Cruickshank - Publisher
Michael Cooke - Editor
Andrew Phillips - Editorial Page Editor
Peter Bishop - VP and CFO
Brian R. Daly - VP Human Resources
Edward A. MacLeod - VP Consumer Marketing
J.A. Sandy Muir - VP Advertising
Ali Rahnema - VP Digital Media
Edward Greenspon - VP Business Development
John A. Honderich, Chair, Torstar Corp.
Established 1892 - Joseph E. Atkinson, Publisher, 1899-1948
