Michael Goldbloom is slated to become the new principal of Bishop's University in Quebec's Eastern Townships.

The former publisher of the Montreal Gazette and Toronto Star will replace Robert Poupart, who stepped down from the position last fall.

The English-language institution in Lennoxville has struggled with falling enrollment, and a deficit that could reach $10 million this year.

Relations with staff were strained after a lengthy strike and lockout last summer.

On Thursday, Goldbloom spoke to some students and staff members at a campus meeting about his hopes going into the job.

"The university obviously went through a difficult period a year ago," he said. "My sense is that there is a great desire to move Bishop's forward."

Bishop's acting principal, Jonathan Rittenhouse, said the school did well in recruiting Goldbloom.

"I'm really pleased that given the circumstances that all this arose, and given the tight schedule in terms of going out into the community to find someone to lead the university, the selection committee has been so successful in finding a man of the quality of Mr. Goldbloom," he said Thursday.

Goldbloom, a former labour lawyer in Montreal, is currently vice-principal of public affairs at McGill University, a job he's held since January 2007.

He was publisher at the Montreal Gazette from 1994 to 2001, and at the Toronto Star from 2004 to 2006.

Goldbloom's nomination as Bishop's principal will be made official by university administrators on Friday.