It's really quite unusual (#032) - Ottawa

Click to reveal author's notes (with any spoilers!)

Finding the right clue for 13D - TWO SPIRIT - was the hardest part of preparing this puzzle, and my research - starting from my limited French-Canadian knowledge base - was definitely illuminating. I found particularly illustrative the way in which Canadian government sources frame their use of the '2SLGBTQI+' acronym (Two Spirit; Lesbian; Gay; Bisexual; Transgender; Queer; Intersex; +) as a blanket statement of inclusivity, positioning Two Spirit individuals as "the first 2SLGBTQI+ communities", while some Indigenous sources - First Nations Health Authority and the Chiefs of Ontario, particularly in their recent Trans Day of Remembrance statement - will purposefully separate the 2S from the rest of the acronym with a slash to underline the distinct nature of such identities outside and pre-dating Western views on gender and sexuality. Recognizing the sensitivity of the topic, and the way in which other Indigenous voices use the 2SLGBTQI+ acronym without a slash, I opted to use the slash in the clue.

"Missed your chance!" (#031)

Canadian Wordsearch (#030)

Click to reveal author's notes (with any spoilers!)

This puzzle offered some nice long entries - GOOD CHOICE, COLD-CALLED - but at the cost of numerous three-letter entries. I tried to keep them interesting, but will try and steer future puzzles away from these extremes!

A Rose, by Another Name (#029)

Street Smarts (#028)

Click to reveal author's notes (with any spoilers!)

I was so tempted to clue 24-Down (VIDEO) as [It killed the radio star?]... but Google tells me the song came out in 1979, just about twenty years before I was born... and the corner was already heavy on pop references, between 23-Across AVRIL Lavigne and 23-Down mermaid ARIEL, so I refrained... but I will get another chance to use that clue, and when you see it then, you'll immediately know what to put!

The inspiration for this location, and why I'm justifying heading way out into Manotick, is the One World Bazaar, hosted not too far away! (The actual closest intersection is MITCH OWENS Road crossing Manotick Station Road, with 'Manotick Station' being, frankly, longer and less inspiring than STAGECOACH as an answer.) The Bazaar is stocked with artisanal crafts from around the world, with each weekend usually dedicated to a culture - and while I can't quite tell you my favourite creation, there being so many unorthodox choices, I can tell you these have a special place in my heart: