An internal memo from senior executives to employees of Canwest Global Communications has outlined a freeze on hiring, salaries and travel as part of a stepped-up bid to reduce operating costs.

Against a backdrop of ‘significant advertising declines,’ publishing executives Dennis Skulsky and Doug Lamb in a Jan. 23 memo said the media group had entered a severe belt-tightening phase.

Other measures on the table include a freeze on meals and catering expenses, and on attendance at conferences and seminars, and a call to reduce energy usage and photocopying costs.

‘The recent voluntary buyout program and cost saving initiatives we have implemented are proving to not be enough to offset advertising revenue shortfalls,’ the internal memo stated.

Skulsky and Lamb added Canwest’s corporate and broadcast division were taking similar measures, which will be outlined in the coming days.

Earlier cost-cutting enabled the broadcaster and newspaper publisher to point to a drop in operating expenditures in its first-quarter report earlier this month. Canwest is also under pressure to raise cash to service its $3.7-billion debt load.

Canwest is not alone. Rival Canadian broadcasters have also instituted similar hiring freezes as part of their own cost-cutting measures to fend off hard times.