OrganisationCA

Torstar

Canadian publisher of the Toronto Star.

Torstar combines the Toronto Star, founded in 1892, with Metroland's regional and community publishing businesses in Ontario.

Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

What does Torstar want AI companies to pay for?

Timeline for Torstar

#13 6 Oct

Sued Anthropic in an Ontario court

Media's AI Pivot: Globe and Mail, Postmedia sue Anthropic

#13 7 Sept

Mentioned in: OpenAI signs Times of India and Express

Media's AI Pivot

View full timeline →

Follow Media's AI Pivot →

Background

Torstar is a Toronto-based media company whose newspaper businesses include Toronto Star Newspapers and Metroland Media Group. Torstar owns both subsidiaries outright. The Toronto Star covers local, national and international affairs, while Metroland publishes regional dailies and community news in Ontario. The group therefore reaches readers through a major metropolitan newspaper and publications focused on individual towns and regions. [Corporate relationships](https://www.litigate.com/assets/uploads/Canadian-News-Media-Companies-v-OpenAI.pdf).

Its regional portfolio includes the Hamilton Spectator, Waterloo Region Record, Peterborough Examiner and newspapers serving the Niagara area. Torstar also operates specialist brands and community websites, including wheels.ca and Toronto.com. Its federal registration identifies NordStar Capital as the parent company. The businesses combine printed publications with websites, mobile products and digital newspaper editions. [Federal registration](https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/app/secure/ocl/lrs/do/vwRg?blnk=1&cno=368135&regId=982861).

Common Questions

What is Torstar's connection to the Toronto Star?

Torstar is the parent company of Toronto Star Newspapers and Metroland.Source: Ontario Superior Court filing

Why is Torstar involved in the Anthropic lawsuit?

The publishers allege unlicensed use of their journalism in Claude.Source: The Canadian Press

What AI issues has Torstar raised with government?

Its 2026 lobbying registration lists AI's effects on Canadian news publishers and The Information market.Source: Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada

Source Material

News publishers launch copyright suit against AI company Anthropic in Ontario Canadian news media companies v. OpenAI: statement of claim Torstar Corporation: federal lobbying registration

How the World Sees Them

Publicis Groupe

rising demand for AI-powered products and services

Hakuhodo

does not determine whether copyright infringement has occurred

Lisa Nandy

would not automatically give Sky material influence

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

This unequal treatment will accelerate the cannibalisation of the Australian news industry.

Postmedia, Torstar, The Globe and Mail and The Canadian Press

substantially and unjustly enriched

USA Today Co.

did not suppress output of content from any entity that had not sued it

Fameplay

After a successful debut during the 2026 World Cup, AILA is now becoming a permanent part of what we do.

Time and the agent-advertising camp

This is a growing traffic source, and therefore a growing source of inventory that we believe has huge value if we can continue to develop this product.

European Commission

Even though adherence to the code is voluntary, the transparency requirements under article 50 of the AI Act are legal obligations.

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.