This Issue
Our annual Real Estate issue always gets people talking — even more so when the city is experiencing its first sellers’ market in a decade. Whether you live in one of our highlighted ’hoods, are looking to buy or sell, or are simply interested in the changing demographics of our city, Laura Byrne Paquet’s “Where to Buy Now” (page 41) always manages to mix conversation starters with census stats for an engaging and useful guide.
This year’s issue also dives into some darker tales. From the effects of the September 2018 tornadoes to the changes happening at Heron Gate, these stories aren’t always easy to read. But they are fascinating, revealing, and important stories nonetheless. And there’s often a silver lining. Hearing Tim Johns retell his experience taking refuge in his basement (“The Damage Done”, page 28) is truly the stuff of blockbuster movies. Unfortunately, he and other tornado survivors are still struggling with insurance claims. But writer Simon Gardner repeatedly found optimism in the affected communities — a sense that neighbourly ties were stronger because people came together to help each other out. In “Fighting for Rights at Heron Gate” (page 34), the tragedy of 500 evicted residents wasn’t only in the cost of finding new homes. The situation was made more difficult because the displaced people — low-income, racialized people — also relied on their neighbours as a support system. Judy Trinh’s story shows Heron Gate epitomized the proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Here in the Ottawa Magazine community, we’ve had some changes of our own. Dianne Wing, the publisher of Ottawa Magazine since it launched in 1998, is moving on. Dianne was, and continues to be, both a friend and a mentor, and I expect she will continue to contribute to our magazine — in fact, you can read her touching story about palliative care on our website now. In addition, our editorial staff has lost the daily contributions of Matt Harrison — a top-notch writer, a great friend, and the best collaborator I’ve ever worked with. But Matt’s touches are all over this issue and I trust I’ll continue to work with him.
Fortunately for me and for my team, we have a new leader with a passion for journalism. Duncan Clark began his media career on the West Coast in such roles as radio colour analyst for the junior hockey team in Cranbrook. He’s brought that love of hockey with him, enjoying 67’s games with his daughter on a regular basis. Duncan has led newsrooms at Canwest and Postmedia, and joined St. Joseph in 2015 to guide our digital and strategic development. Since 2015, he’s been bouncing between Toronto and Ottawa, but now his young family has settled in the capital — in the neighbourhood ranked fourth for growing families, no less. Oh, and he loves to talk! Email him at Duncan.Clark@stjoseph.com — or call him at our office, and you can hear that radio voice for yourself.