John Macfarlane, who recently stepped down as editor of Toronto Life, will be helping out at The Walrus in the transition period following the recent resignation of editor Ken Alexander.

The Walrus announced Wednesday that Macfarlane will be part-time editor and co-publisher of the Toronto-based general interest magazine.

"We are delighted John has agreed to help us manage this change," said Shelley Ambrose, publisher and executive director of The Walrus, in a statement. "His experience and expertise in magazine editing and publishing is unparalleled."

Macfarlane, 66, was editor of Toronto Life for 15 years and previously publisher of Saturday Night magazine.

He will continue as a member of the advisory board of St. Joseph Communications, which owns Toronto Life, and as chairman of the board of the Canadian Journalism Foundation.

Alexander, one the founders of The Walrus, resigned as editor last month. Macfarlane is to begin work there next week.

Ambrose said she did not want to rush the process of finding a new editor and that Macfarlane may remain in the position up to six months or more.

The magazine lost another member of its long-time staff last week, when creative director Anthonio De Luca announced he would be leaving.

De Luca, who has been with the magazine five years, said he would be pursuing other creative endeavours.