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                                                                   Exhibit  99.1

                                 HOLLINGER INC.
                                  STATUS UPDATE

      Toronto, Ontario, Canada, February 7, 2005 -- Hollinger Inc. ("Hollinger")
(TSX: HLG.C; HLG.PR.B) provides the following update in accordance with the
guidelines pursuant to which the June 1, 2004 management and insider cease trade
order was issued. These guidelines contemplate that Hollinger will normally
provide bi-weekly updates on its affairs until such time as it is current with
its filing obligations under applicable Canadian securities laws. Reference
should be made to Status Update Reports and other press releases that have been
previously filed by Hollinger and which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Recent Events

      On January 27, 2005, the Board of Directors of Hollinger unanimously
adopted a set of rigorous governance policies and practice. The new policies,
which were effective immediately, meet or exceed current requirements for
Canadian public companies. Included in the measures approved are comprehensive
written charters for the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee, the
Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as
well as formal position descriptions for the Chairman of the Board and each of
the Board Committees. The package also includes a Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics, a Whistleblower Policy and a Policy on Related Party Transactions which
requires that all related party transactions involving Hollinger be approved by
Hollinger's independent Audit Committee.

      These policies were developed by outside counsel at the request of the
Independent Committee of Hollinger. The policies follow from a thorough review
of existing policies and procedures at Hollinger, best practices among Canadian
and U.S. companies and current or proposed governance requirements and
guidelines.

Financial Statements

      Hollinger and Hollinger International Inc. ("Hollinger International")
continue to pursue, on a without prejudice basis, the conclusion of mutually
acceptable arrangements to permit the audit of Hollinger's 2003 annual financial
statements to begin as soon as possible.

      As previously reported, Hollinger's 2003 annual financial statements could
not be completed and audited until Hollinger International's 2003 annual
financial statements were completed. On January 18, 2005, Hollinger
International filed its 2003 Form 10-K with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which included audited financial statements and
related MD&A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 and restated audited
financial results for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1999, 2000, 2001 and
2002. Hollinger International stated that the restated financial results were to
correct accounting errors in prior periods and to reflect reclassifications
arising from the adoption of a new audit standard. On January 21, 2005,
Hollinger International filed its audited financial statements (and related
MD&A) and its renewal Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31,
2003 with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The foregoing were
necessary but not sufficient conditions to permit Hollinger to complete and file
its 2003 annual financial statements
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as the completion and audit of such financial statements will require a level of
co-operation from Hollinger International, which is still in negotiation, and
Hollinger International's auditors.

      In its news release of February 4, 2005, Hollinger International indicated
that it expected to be able to file, within approximately two months, its
interim financial statements for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, June 30 and
September 30, 2004. In addition, Hollinger International stated that it would
work expeditiously to file its 2004 Form 10-K, which will include its audited
financial statements and related MD&A for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2004. While Hollinger International has said it expects to file a request with
the SEC for a 15 day extension beyond the required filing date of March 16, 2005
to complete and file the 2004 Form 10-K, because of the anticipated work
involved in the audit, Hollinger International noted that it may not be able to
complete and file the 2004 Form 10-K by March 31, 2004.

      Hollinger's Audit Committee is considering what, if any, financial
information and/or alternative financial statements Hollinger will be in a
position to publicly disclose.

Inspection

      Ernst & Young Inc. (the "Inspector") is continuing the inspection of
Hollinger's related party transactions pursuant to an Order of Justice Colin L.
Campbell of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The Inspector has provided
six interim Reports with respect to its inspection of Hollinger. Counsel for the
Inspector and various parties are next scheduled to appear before Justice
Campbell on February 9, 2005. Hollinger and its staff continue to give their
full and unrestricted assistance to the Inspector in order that it may carry out
its duties, including access to all files and electronic data.

      To February 4, 2005, the cost to Hollinger of the inspection (including
the costs associated with the Inspector and its legal counsel and Hollinger's
legal counsel) is in excess of C$4.25 million.

Supplemental Financial Information

      As of the close of business on February 4, 2005, Hollinger and its
subsidiaries (other than Hollinger International and its subsidiaries) had
approximately US$44.6 million of cash or cash equivalents, including restricted
cash, on hand and Hollinger owned, directly or indirectly, 782,923 shares of
Class A Common Stock and 14,990,000 shares of Class B Common Stock of Hollinger
International. Based on the February 4, 2005 closing price of the shares of
Class A Common Stock of Hollinger International on the New York Stock Exchange
of US$14.10, the market value of Hollinger's direct and indirect holdings in
Hollinger International was US$222,398,214. All of Hollinger's direct and
indirect interest in the shares of Class A Common Stock of Hollinger
International are being held in escrow in support of future retractions of its
Series II Preference Shares. All of Hollinger's direct and indirect interest in
the shares of Class B Common Stock of Hollinger International are pledged as
security in connection with Hollinger's outstanding 11.875% Senior Secured Notes
due 2011 (the "Senior Notes") and 11.875% Second Priority Secured Notes due 2011
(the "Second Priority Notes"). In addition, Hollinger has previously deposited
with the trustee under the indenture (the "Senior Indenture") governing the
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Senior Notes approximately US$10.5 million in cash as collateral in support of
the Senior Notes (which cash collateral is also collateral in support of the
Second Priority Notes, subject to being applied to satisfy future interest
payment obligations on the outstanding Senior Notes as permitted by amendments
to the Senior Indenture). Consequently, there is currently in excess of US$221.8
million aggregate collateral securing the US$78 million principal amount of the
Senior Notes and the US$15 million principal amount of the Second Priority Notes
outstanding.

Company Background

      Hollinger's principal asset is its interest in Hollinger International
Inc. which is a newspaper publisher, the assets of which include the Chicago
Sun-Times, a large number of community newspapers in the Chicago area and a
portfolio of news media investments, and a portfolio of revenue-producing and
other commercial real estate in Canada, including its head office building
located at 10 Toronto Street, Toronto, Ontario.

Media contact:
Larry Parnell
Hill & Knowlton
416-413-4623
larry.parnell@hillandknowlton.ca

                              www.hollingerinc.com