This issue’s cover image — the iconic marijuana leaf — was not intended to be the cover story. But as we dug into the subject of money, we found that the topics — currency and investments and the like — were, frankly, not very photogenic.

Indeed, as the stories came in, the abstract, intangible nature of money continued to present a challenge. Plus, as Daniel Drolet asserts in “Stealth Wealth” (page 32), Ottawans seem to have a particular tendency to avoid ostentatious displays of wealth. In addition, many of today’s booming economies are without street presence. Ottawa’s own Shopify, which last year announced $100 million in new funding, is
a testament to the growth of web-based businesses.

That said, there was no shortage of awe-inspiring workplaces to feature in the “Office Crush” series (page 38). In fact, in the case of MD Physician Services, the success of their massive renovation lies, in part, in providing flexible workstations and lockers for staff who occasionally work from home. They’re offering the best of both worlds — the flexibility to work remotely and a stimulating space in which to collaborate with colleagues — in order to retain the best people. (And we can’t wait to see what those Shopify kids dream up for their new Elgin Street digs.)

It seems Bitcoin could serve as an apt metaphor for our current relationship with money. The cyber currency has yet to really permeate our everyday lives, but it’s catching on. There’s an ATM-type machine in the ByWard Market that lets Bitcoin users withdraw from their accounts, and Jazz Fest offered it as an option for ticket purchases this past summer. On the other hand, there is something special about coins and paper money, even cheques — not only the artistry of the physical objects but also for all that they symbolize in the evolution of civilization. Will piggy banks and ink signatures survive in the digital age? We’re in uncertain times when it comes to Bitcoin: it could be the Next Big Thing or something we’re laughing about five years from now.

But Bitcoin is definitely not cover-image material, and I think the marijuana leaf actually is a good representation of our economic future. Just 10 years ago, we would have scoffed at the idea of the government getting into the medical marijuana business. Times have changed. Justin Trudeau might be the politician openly discussing his post-dinner joints (for more on that, see “The Jester,” page 15), but it’s the Harper government that has ushered in a new — albeit controversial — openness about medical marijuana. No one could have guessed that, and no one can tell with any certainty what the next cash crop might be. So we’re having fun with our first Money Issue, mixing informational pieces with tongue-in-cheek humour, all in the name of bringing filthy lucre to the fore.

Coming Up: Our big food feature returns in the Winter issue of Ottawa Magazine. This time around, we’re rounding up the best dishes in the city, turning the tables on chefs and restaurateurs, and looking at the big picture when it comes to dining out. It’s sure to leave even the most fervent foodie completely satisfied.

Dayanti Karunaratne, editor
feedbackottawa@stjosephmedia.com

 This City

• Reason to Love Ottawa: Back to (Forest) School
By Matt Harrison
Photo by Rémi Thériault

• FOUND: A silo in the city
By Roger Bird
Photo by Jackson Couse

• The Jester brings Frightening political predictions
By Chris Lackner
Illustrations by Alan King

•  A timeline of Magpie’s Support Local project
By Dayanti Karunaratne

• Orienteering Q & A
By Stephen Dale
Photo by David Kawai

City Column: The Ottawa-Fogo connection
by Hattie Klotz
illustration by Michael George Haddad

Seeds of Change: Taking stock of Tweed
From job opportunities to outcries from doctors and medical marijuana users , the ramifications of the government’s role as de facto pot dealer are monumental
By Ron Corbett
Photos by Julie Oliver

Money Talks: A humorous, historical, and informative exploration of the city’s boardrooms, bank accounts, wine cellars, and wills
Including…

Essay: Daniel Drolet searches for ostentatiousness in Ottawa

Kids + cash: Talking allowances
By Sarah Brown
Photo by Justin Van Leeuwen

Face-off: Two sides of the minimum wage debate

Essay: The history of inside jobs
By Seth Montgomery 

Office Crush: Inside three colourful offices and one luxurious suite
By Sarah Brown and Michael Prentice

Essay: Art that appreciates
by Hattie Klotz

How-to:
Blow $50K in beer & wine
By Sarah Brown
Collecting coins (or, can you make a mint from the Mint?)
By Seth Montgomery
Generation executor
By Amélie Crosson 
Write your name on a billboard
By Roger Collier

Game changers: Uber, Airbnb, and more
By Hattie Klotz

The Explainer: On Crowdfunding, Planned Giving, and the perils of cash
By Patrick Langston

Great Taste

MOST WANTED
Bespoke pens

MY LOOK
Talking art + fashion with PDA Project’s Brendan de Montigny

SHOP TALK 
Autumn apparitions
Photography by Christian Lalonde – Photoluxstudio.com

GREAT SPACE
Dramatic details elevate Island Park house

FOOD
Quest for herbs by Cindy Deachman
plus foodie gossip in City Bites

CAPITAL PINT 
Brew news  by Travis Persaud

Going Out

RESTAURANTS
Spotlight on Muse Restaurant, plus New reviews of Oyster Bay, Rosie’s Southern Kitchen and Raw Bar,  and Salt

CALENDAR
• Sens’ Home Games  77

• See, Hear, Read with Paul Gessell  78

OTTAWA JOURNAL
Disposable Income: why we won’t be seeing the end of change
By Mark Bourrie