The Canadian Newspaper Association and the Canadian Community Newspapers Association will gradually merge their operations during the next two years, Media in Canada reported.

The two associations together represent more than 830 daily, weekly and community newspapers across Canada.

The new, combined association that “will better reflect the reality of the Canadian newspaper industry and create one strong industry voice for newspapers in Canada,” Alan Allnutt, can board chairman, told Media in Canada.

The associations will “co-locate” offices and management teams as part of the co-management agreement, and aim to provide members with more services at a reduced cost, according to Media in Canada.