Digital Subscription FAQs
Question: Why do I now have to pay for content at thespec.com?
Answer: Producing high-quality journalism comes at a cost and many trusted publishers now charge for online content. The unique content we produce has great value to our readers and the community. If you are already a print or ePaper subscriber, thespec.com digital access is complimentary with your print or ePaper subscription.
Question: What happens if I don't subscribe?
Answer: If you choose to not subscribe, you will have online access to a limited number of articles per month on thespec.com. If you change your mind, you can subscribe anytime at thespec.com/subscribe.
Question: Do I have to pay to register for a Torstar Account on thespec.com?
Answer: There is no charge to register for a Torstar Account. However, if you want to read additional articles, you will require a paid subscription. Our subscription packages can be seen here: thespec.com/subscribe. Digital access to thespec.com is provided complimentary with print and ePaper subscriptions.
Question: I’m a print or ePaper subscriber and can’t log into thespec.com with the account I use to manage my print deliveries or ePaper subscription. Why doesn’t it work?
Answer: The account you use to manage your Hamilton Spectator print or ePaper subscription is different than the account required to access our digital content on thespec.com. You will need to use or register for a Torstar account in order to get access to thespec.com. If you need further assistance with this request, please give us a call at 1-800-263-8386 and we would be happy to assist you in setting your account up. You can also view our How To page for step-by-step instructions.
Question: I am a current print subscriber. Do I have to pay for access to thespec.com?
Answer: Thank you for being a loyal subscriber. Digital access to thespec.com, as well as our ePaper, is complimentary with your print subscription. Click here to sign up for your complimentary access. You can also view our How To page for step-by-step instructions.
Question: I am a current ePaper subscriber. Do I get free access to thespec.com?
Answer: Thank you for being a loyal subscriber. Digital access to thespec.com is complimentary with your subscription. Click here to sign up for your complimentary access. You can also view our How To page for step-by-step instructions.
Question: With my print or ePaper subscription, how many users get access to thespec.com?
Answer: With each print or ePaper subscription, complimentary digital access to thespec.com for one user is included.
Question: What happens if I sign up for a fixed term subscription at a discounted rate and wish to cancel before the term is up?
Answer: For customers who pay monthly, your subscription will conclude at the end of the current month. There will be no further charges to your credit card and your entitlement to the site will end at the same time. For customers who pay annually, your subscription will conclude at the end of the year. There will be no further charges to your credit card and your entitlement will end at the same time.
Question: What happens if I cancel my digital subscription in the middle of the month?
Answer: Your digital access will continue through the end of the billing month in which your subscription is cancelled. We generally bill our digital subscriptions one month at a time and require 48 business hours notice to process your cancellation request. Prepaid fixed term digital subscriptions are billed one year at a time and we require 48 business hours notice to process your cancellation request.
Question: Today is the first of the month. Why can’t I see any articles?
Answer: Every 30 days, thespec.com allows you to read a limited number of articles without having to register for a Torstar Account or pay for a digital subscription. The 30-day window is not based on the monthly calendar but on the day you first click on an article.
Question: I am having a technical problem. Can someone please help?
Answer: We apologize for the issue you are currently experiencing. We would be happy to help you through this process and resolve any challenges you may be encountering. You can contact us at circ@thespec.com or 1-800-263-8386 between 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET weekdays; 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET Saturdays. We would be happy to assist you.
Question: How do I unsubscribe to emails?
Answer: Marketing emails originating from Torstar publications and services contain an unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. Please use the unsubscribe link in the email that was sent to you in order to unsubscribe. If you have any difficulties with the unsubscribe link, please forward the original email to circ@thespec.com and let us know which service or publication sent you the email so that we can remove you from the email list.
Question: How do I reset my password?
Answer: Please visit www.thespec.com/sign-in and follow prompts under 'Forgot password'.
Question: I did not receive a verification email once I registered. What is going on?
Answer: Verification emails may sometimes be caught in the spam or junk folder. If you check those folders and the verification email is still not available, please contact us at circ@thespec.com or 1-800-263-8386 between 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET weekdays; 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET Saturdays. We would be happy to assist you.
Question: I did not receive my receipt email. What is going on?
Answer: Receipt emails may sometimes be caught in the spam or junk folder. If you check those folders and the receipt email is still not available, you can contact us at circ@thespec.com or 1-800-263-8386 between 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET weekdays; 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET Saturdays. We would be happy to assist you.
Question: How do I login and/or access my digital subscription?
Answer: Please visit www.thespec.com/sign-in to login and manage your digital subscription.
Question: How will I be billed for my subscription to thespec.com?
Answer: Generally, your chosen method of payment (e.g. credit card, PayPal account) is billed right away upon purchase and on an ongoing monthly basis until you cancel your subscription. We will bill your credit card automatically on the same day each month. For example, if you started your subscription on October 1st, we would bill you October 1st, and your next charge would be on November 1st. For prepaid fixed term digital subscriptions, your chosen method of payment (e.g. credit card, PayPal account) is billed right away upon purchase and on an ongoing yearly basis until you cancel your subscription. We will bill your credit card automatically on the same day each year. For example, if you started your subscription on October 1st, we would bill you October 1st, and your next charge would be on October 1st of the following calendar year.
Question: Is my Hamilton Spectator digital subscription eligible for the digital news subscription tax credit?
Answer: Yes. Individuals who have a digital subscription to thespec.com can claim the digital news subscription tax credit on their personal income tax return for the years 2020 to 2024. This is a non-refundable tax credit for amounts paid by individuals in the year to a qualified Canadian journalism organization (QCJO) for an eligible qualifying subscription. Click HERE to find out more about this tax credit and how to claim it.
Question: I am a home-delivery subscriber. Is my subscription eligible for the digital news subscription tax credit?
Answer: Yes. Home delivery subscribers can claim the digital news subscription tax credit on their personal income tax return for the years 2020 through 2024 inclusive. Our home delivery subscriptions include digital access to thespec.com and ePaper edition.
The Canada Revenue Agency has indicated that if a subscription provides access to content of the qualified Canadian journalism organization (QCJO) that is not in digital form (i.e. in print), only the cost of a stand-alone subscription to the digital content of the QCJO can be claimed. The Hamilton Spectator’s maximum stand-alone digital subscription rate is $7.99 per month. If this maximum stand-alone rate exceeds the monthly price of your print subscription, see the CRA site for guidance on the amount of the eligible expense where there is no comparable stand alone digital subscription.
To find out more about this tax credit and how to claim it, please visit the Government of Canada website. Please visit the CRA website for a list of qualifying digital news subscriptions. The Hamilton Spectator’s Qualified Canadian Journalism Organization (QCJO) designation number is: Q2438091. To view your subscription payments, visit our Subscriber Login portal and follow the steps below:
1. Login with your email and password (Don’t have an account setup? Create one.)
2. Click on PAYMENTS.
3. Click on ACCOUNT ADJUSTMENTS to view your payment history
If you require assistance, please send us an email or call 1-800-263-8386. Note: Subscribers are responsible for ensuring that the amounts they are reporting are correct. Metroland Media Group Ltd. is not responsible for the amount you claim on your taxes.
Question: If I access articles through my newsletter subscription, do these count towards my article limit?
Answer: Yes, these articles do count towards your article limit.
Question: How can I contact you?
Answer: You can contact us at circ@thespec.com or 1-800-263-8386 between 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET weekdays; 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET Saturdays. We would be happy to assist you.
