Transcontinental, the Canadian company that’s building a $200 million plant in Fremont to print the Chronicle, is prepared in case Hearst shuts down the paper. Transcon issued a press release yesterday that states, “The contract signed with Hearst Corporation provides for indemnification should the San Francisco Chronicle cease publication or be sold.” In 2006, when the Chronicle signed that contract, it was said to be a 15-year deal worth $1 billion.