John Cruickshank is leaving CBC News to become publisher of the Toronto Star. (Rich Hein/Associated Press)

John Cruickshank has resigned from the top job at CBC News to take the position of publisher of the Toronto Star, the country's largest newspaper.

Cruickshank, who joined the CBC just over a year ago, will start as the Star's publisher on Jan. 1. Jagoda Pike left the position in October to become president of Ontario's bid for the 2015 Pan Am Games and, since then, Donald Babick has been interim publisher.

The CBC lured Cruickshank, whose background is mainly in newspapers, from the Chicago Sun-Times in September 2007. He took up the newly created post of publisher of English-language CBC News.

Cruickshank said he would leave the CBC with "some sadness" but that "print is not out of my system."

In his period at the CBC, Cruickshank moved to integrate newsgathering on TV, radio and the internet, and to expand regional programming, among other initiatives.

That direction will be continued at CBC News, according to Richard Stursberg, executive vice-president of English services at the CBC.

"John has made a significant contribution to CBC News as it has continued its process of evolution and renewal into a fully integrated, multiplatform national news organization," Stursberg said after Cruickshank's departure was announced on Wednesday.

"We consider the Toronto Star's win to be our loss, of course, but John leaves a first-class team well-prepared to meet the challenges of the future. We wish him every success in his new role."

Jennifer McGuire, executive director of news programming, will become interim publisher for CBC News and will work with Cruickshank in a transition period.

Born and raised in Toronto, Cruickshank is a former editor in chief of the Vancouver Sun and worked as managing editor of the Globe and Mail, which he joined as a reporter in 1981. He has also worked at the Montreal Gazette and the Kingston Whig-Standard.

He served as editorial vice-president and co-editor of the Chicago Sun-Times from 2000 until 2003, when he was named publisher. He succeeded David Radler, who resigned amid the fraud scandal that enveloped the paper's parent company, formerly known as Hollinger International Inc.