spencerpress.bsky.social
spencerpress.bsky.social
@spencerpress.bsky.social
Senior ed, features & investigations, Postmedia. Ex-opinion ed, Ottawa Citizen. Ex-EIC Kingston Whig-Standard, NNA winner, NPSIA grad. Proud editor of husband's novels: Norman's Conquest and A Life of Bliss. At Ottawa bookstores or through Amazon!
Nice little video piece in Capital Current about a young woman with narcolepsy and a very special service dog: capitalcurrent.ca/the-25th-hou...
The 25th Hour: A woman’s best friend - Capital Current
Narcolepsy advocate Michelle Weger highlights how her relationship with her service dog, Quinn, helps her through life.
capitalcurrent.ca
November 23, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Nice story here from Mike Ganter: Read about how Jayna Hefford helped make the PWHL the wildly successful league it is today. @nationalpost.com.web.brid.gy #PWHL nationalpost.com/feature/jayn...
Jayna Hefford once dominated women's hockey. Now she's changing the game
From an on-ice leader to a top boss of the wildly successful PWHL, Jayna Hefford is reshaping views about women in sports.
nationalpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Want a break from all those Cdn politics and budget talks? This is the best thing you'll read today: In defence of the Canada goose, the pooping, honking bird everyone loves to hate #birds nationalpost.com/feature/in-d...
In defence of the Canada goose, the pooping, honking bird everyone loves to hate
The giant Canada goose was once thought extinct. Now, our communities are overrun with the hissing, pooping birds — and humans are to blame.
nationalpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Great read here from Allen Abel on the man poised to be NYC's next top politico: The unlikely rise of a socialist, ‘anti-Israel’ radical in the race for mayor of New York @nationalpost.com.web.brid.gy nationalpost.com/feature/the-...
The unlikely rise of a socialist, ‘anti-Israel’ radical in the race for mayor of New York
Zohran Mamdani is socialist, Muslim and surging in the race for mayor of New York. The unlikely rise of an ‘anti-Israel’ radical
nationalpost.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:12 PM
In 2012, the Department of National Defence found high levels of dangerous chemicals in the waters that feed North Bay's wells and municipal system — but only revealed this publicly in 2017. Why the delay? The @UofT_ijb reports today in @nationalpost.com.web.brid.gy nationalpost.com/feature/nort...
Feds 'covered up' toxic chemicals in the water in this Ontario city for 5 years
In 2012, DND found high levels of toxic substances in the water feeding North Bay's wells and municipal system. But residents didn't know.
nationalpost.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
From the Investigative Journalism Bureau: Ontario still hasn't acted on advice to toughen rules around lead in drinking water #onpoli nationalpost.com/news/lead-wa...
Ontario still hasn't acted on advice to toughen rules around lead in drinking water
Internal documents show experts supported adopting Health Canada's stringent guidelines for the toxic chemical back in 2021.
nationalpost.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Interesting piece from the Investigative Journalism Bureau: Governments have thrown tens of millions at First Nations drug treatment. People are still dying. #cdnpoli @nationalpost.com.web.brid.gy nationalpost.com/news/opioid-...
Governments have thrown tens of millions at First Nations drug treatment. People are still dying
Better therapies, including cultural supports, are badly needed as study shows death rate 9 times higher than for non-First Nations people.
nationalpost.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Check out this journalistic investigation. Bad Practice:
Dozens of doctors with serious professional conduct issues have started fresh in different countries (including Canada) without their new patients knowing about their past. nationalpost.com/feature/bad-...
Bad Practice: How doctors jump borders to leave troubling pasts behind
An international investigation finds dozens of doctors who have left troubling pasts to start fresh somewhere new — including Canada.
nationalpost.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin slashed the federal bureaucracy by almost 20 per cent. But what's the best formula for the current government to shed workers? Karl Salgo weighs in. #cdnpoli @ottawacitizen.com #ottnews ottawacitizen.com/opinion/publ...
Salgo: Public service cuts — we've seen massive reductions before
Jean Chrétien slashed the bureaucracy by almost 20 per cent. But what's the best formula for the current government to shed federal workers?
ottawacitizen.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by spencerpress.bsky.social
Deachman: The ByWard Market is both beautiful and broken ottawacitizen.com/news/byward-...
Deachman: The ByWard Market is both beautiful and broken
Curious to see how the Market changes during the day and night, Bruce Deachman wandered its streets and alleyways for 24 consecutive hours.
ottawacitizen.com
August 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM
This week's summer reading book excerpt by an Ottawa author (and in this case an @ottawacitizen.com columnist): Summer reading: How a Liberal toppled Pierre Poilievre and won Carleton riding ottawacitizen.com/opinion/how-...
Summer reading: How a Liberal toppled Pierre Poilievre and won Carleton riding
Book excerpt: 'Bruce Fanjoy's Apple Crumble Recipe' charts the campaign that defeated the Conservative leader locally in 2025.
ottawacitizen.com
August 5, 2025 at 2:46 PM
A new graffiti gallery in the ByWard Market would celebrate street art, muralism and urban expression, while revitalizing a key heritage property in the heart of the capital, say Sen. Andrew Cardozo and Mathieu Fleury #ottnews #ottcity @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/opinion/graf...
Cardozo and Fleury: A new graffiti art gallery belongs in the ByWard Market
This space would celebrate street art, muralism and urban expression, while revitalizing a key heritage property in the heart of the capital
ottawacitizen.com
August 5, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Is diversity weakening in the federal public service?
Results from the Public Service Employees Survey suggest DEI is ebbing in key departments that should champion equity, Jennifer Gearey writes. #ottnews @ottawacitizen.com #cdnpoli ottawacitizen.com/opinion/dive...
Gearey: Is diversity weakening in the federal public service?
The Public Service Employees Survey shows that DEI is ebbing in key departments that should champion equity, says Jennifer Gearey.
ottawacitizen.com
July 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Algonquin College will shut down its building trades program in the Eastern Ontario town of Perth, but a local entrepreneur has pitched a better version. Doug Ford should clear the path to make it happen, says
@Randall_Denley @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/opinion/plan...
Denley: This plan to save Perth trades school deserves full support
Algonquin College will shut down its building trades program in the Eastern Ontario town, but an entrepreneur has pitched a better version.
ottawacitizen.com
July 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Ever heard of a 'pedestrian scramble'? Small towns and big cities — including in Canada — use this low-cost option to help people cross roads safely at major intersections. How about we do this in Ottawa? @bpellerin asks. #ottcity #ottnews @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/opinion/pede...
Pellerin: Scrambling for safety — or how to make pedestrian crossings less dangerous
Small towns and big cities use this low-cost option to help people cross the road safely, says Brigitte Pellerin. How about here in Ottawa?
ottawacitizen.com
July 11, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Solid and important piece here from Bruce Deachman about small developers in Ottawa and how the city stymies them. #ottcity #ottnews @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/news/local-n...
Deachman: City fees are squeezing small developers out of rental housing
François Latreille, a small ByWard Market developer, says city charges make low-rise developments impossible to build, writes Bruce Deachman
ottawacitizen.com
July 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Will Michael Sabia really 'kick ass' in Canada's federal public service? He's considered one of the smartest guys in the room (mind you, so is the prime minister). Karl Salgo shares his view. #cdnpoli @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/opinion/mich...
Will Michael Sabia really 'kick ass' in the public service?
Both Mark Carney and his new top bureaucrat are used to being the smartest guy in the room, Karl Salgo notes. How will that play out?
ottawacitizen.com
June 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Canada's public service has gender parity, but that's not the whole picture when it comes to equal treatment of women, writes Jennifer Gearey. #cdnpoli #ottnews @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/opinion/fede...
Gearey: In the federal public service, simple gender parity isn't enough
The culture of the bureacracy must continue to evolve so that women's gains aren't seen as losses for others.
ottawacitizen.com
June 18, 2025 at 6:07 PM
It's great to have three people representing Ottawa-Gatineau around the cabinet table. But will cabinet really have any influence under Mark Carney? Andrew MacDougall asks. #cdnpoli @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/opinion/true...
MacDougall: Is 'true cabinet government' really back in Ottawa?
It's great to have three people representing Ottawa-Gatineau at the cabinet table. But will cabinet really have any influence under Carney?
ottawacitizen.com
May 15, 2025 at 3:27 PM
An innovative Ottawa program, back for its second year, helps immigrants hone their business skills — and makes the ByWard Market a more interesting place, writes Bruce Deachman. #ottnews @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/news/local-n...
Deachman: Immigrant entrepreneurs add flair to the ByWard Market
An innovative program, back for its second year, helps newcomers hone their business skills — and makes the Market a more interesting place.
ottawacitizen.com
May 15, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Can't see those traffic lines on the road when you drive? Coun. Tim Tierney explains why, and what we should do about this hazard. #ottcity #ottnews @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/opinion/traf...
Tierney: Can't see any lines on the road when you drive? It's an increasing hazard
Federal rules aimed at protecting the environment are causing serious risks to drivers in Ottawa and elsewhere in Ontario.
ottawacitizen.com
May 8, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Today's @ottawacitizen.com letters: 'Longest ballot committee' is at it again in Alberta. Elections Canada should consider a meaningful fee for potential candidates to discourage this nonsense. #cdnpoli #ottnews ottawacitizen.com/opinion/long...
Today's letters: 'Longest ballot committee' at it again in Alberta
Thursday, May 8: Elections Canada should consider a fee for potential candidates, much like during a leadership race, a reader says.
ottawacitizen.com
May 8, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Here's a nice read from Sharon Lefroy for VE Day in Ottawa: Tulips, and the war my uncle never returned from. #ottnews @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/opinion/tuli...
Lefroy: Tulips, and the war my uncle never returned from
As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and the bonds between Canada and the Netherlands, an Ottawa resident reflects.
ottawacitizen.com
May 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Pickup trucks are marketed for their capacity to conquer lunar landscapes, but they’re far more likely to be seen at a Tim Hortons drive-through. Meanwhile, they're a road danger. Let's do something about it, writes AlbertKoehl. @ottawacitizen.com ottawacitizen.com/opinion/dang...
Koehl: Free us from the danger of pickup trucks
Pickups are marketed for their capacity to conquer lunar landscapes, but they’re far more likely to be seen at a Tim Hortons drive-through.
ottawacitizen.com
May 8, 2025 at 1:46 PM