Christina Spencer

Ottawa

Opinions editor, Ottawa Citizen; ex-M.E., Postmedia; ex-E.I.C., Kingston Whig. NNA, NPSIA! Journalism instructor Carleton. Proud spouse of novelist @ButlerDon.

Articles

Today's letters: National Gallery mustn't neglect these volunteers

5 days ago | ottawacitizen.com | Christina Spencer

Advertisement 1Monday, June 2: Knowledgable art fans have helped educate the public and shouldn't be cast aside, readers say. You can write to us too, at [email protected] contentSign In or Create an AccountArticle contentArticle contentRe: National Gallery volunteers worry about opportunities vanishing, May 13. Article contentI recently visited the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria.
Today's letters: OC Transpo's 'New Ways to Bus' isolates seniors

2 weeks ago | ottawacitizen.com | Christina Spencer

Advertisement 1Tuesday, May 20: Changes to bus routes are making it harder for older Ottawans to maintain their independence, a reader says. You can write to us too, at [email protected] contentSign In or Create an AccountArticle contentArticle contentRe: Deachman, ‘New Ways to Bus’ shouldn’t mean living on a bus, May 14. Article contentI read Bruce Deachman’s article with a sense of familiarity.
Simpson: Make downtown Somerset Street a people destination this summer

3 weeks ago | ottawacitizen.com | Christina Spencer

Article contentI get tired of people thinking that “Ottawa is the city that fun forgot.” Our city boasts a rich cultural life, fantastic museums and parks, vibrant festivals and amazing small businesses and restaurants. One of the few silver linings of the pandemic was the expansion of outdoor spaces for bars and restaurants. This became an opportunity to breathe new life into neighbourhoods and draw residents and tourists alike.
Today's letters: Needed — Better public transit to major Ottawa sights

3 weeks ago | ottawacitizen.com | Christina Spencer

Advertisement 1Friday, May 16: A recent experience in NYC showed us what is possible, a reader says. You can write to us too, at [email protected] contentSign In or Create an AccountArticle contentArticle contentRe: Canadian Tulip Festival kicks off and the hunt for parking spots begin, May 10. Article contentBack last year, when a visit to New York City wasn’t considered being a traitor to Canada, we trekked from the Brooklyn Bridge to midtown Manhattan, and the 9/11 memorial.
Arif: Patriotism or jingoism? A warning from an Indian immigrant

3 weeks ago | ottawacitizen.com | Daud Arif |Christina Spencer

Skip to ContentAdvertisement 1In neighbourhoods from Vanier to Barrhaven, in grocery stores where dozens of languages hum together, and in public spaces built on shared compromise, I see the real Canada. But I also hear the quiet concerns: Who gets to define “Canadian”? Article contentNot long ago, I received a notification from one of Canada’s biggest newspapers: “Show your pride.
Today's letters: OC Transpo should make every weekend free

4 weeks ago | ottawacitizen.com | Christina Spencer

Advertisement 1Friday, May 9: Free rides would benefit shift workers and bolster visits to the ByWard Market, enlivening the city's nightlife, says one reader. You can write to us too, at [email protected] contentSign In or Create an AccountArticle contentArticle contentAs an Ottawan who took part in OC Transpo’s Ride Free weekend, I have a few observations to share:Article content• Ridership was definitely up. People seemed to be wanting to make the most of this.
Today's letters: 'Longest ballot committee' at it again in Alberta

1 month ago | ottawacitizen.com | Christina Spencer

Article contentSign In or Create an AccountArticle contentArticle contentIn the end, it made no difference to the results in Carleton riding that there were 91 names on the ballot. Bruce Fanjoy still would have won, Pierre Poilievre still would have lost. All it did was create confusion for those trying to vote, and extra time and effort for those whose task was to count the votes and report results. If the point was to protest “first past the post,” it is beyond me how the point was made.
Abdulla: Abusing doctors and staff won't make health care any better

1 month ago | ottawacitizen.com | Alykhan Abdulla |Christina Spencer

Skip to ContentAdvertisement 1Patients are under stress in our over-burdened system. So are family physicians and their colleagues. I get the worry. But I don’t get the rudeness. Article contentI know many Ottawans are struggling with uncertainty, stress and health challenges. I hear your stories every day and it breaks my heart. Sign In or Create an AccountArticle contentArticle contentHonestly, we try our best. But let me give you some perspective.
Grover: 'New ways to bus' means fewer ways to bus

1 month ago | ottawacitizen.com | Christina Spencer

Advertisement 1Frequent, reliable transit is our best chance to achieve the city’s stated goals of climate action, affordability and reducing car use. This plan won't work. Article contentOC Transpo says its ridership won’t fully recover to pre-pandemic levels for another 10 years. It’s “New Ways to Bus” route overhaul makes that look like a guarantee.
Today's letters: Poilievre, Conservatives must understand why they lost

1 month ago | ottawacitizen.com | Christina Spencer

Saturday, May 3: Canadians don't support negative, attacking and insulting approaches to politics, readers say. You can write to us too, at [email protected] contentSign In or Create an AccountArticle contentArticle contentRe: Conservatives lose election; Poilievre loses Carleton riding, April 28. Article contentThe election sent a very clear message to the federal Conservative party.