The Ottawa Citizen newspaper's two editorial writers have announced they are leaving the newspaper in December.

Kate Heartfield and James Gordon each tweeted the news to their followers on Wednesday.

I have some news. After 11 years (longer if you count internships and contracts), I’m leaving the Citizen. My last day is December 11. 1/n —@kateheartfield

After 12 years and 1,200 or so bylines, I've decided to move on from the Ottawa Citizen. My last day is Dec. 4. —@James_J_Gordon

Heartfield said while the newsroom "is home" and she's been proud to be on the masthead, she wants to spend more time writing fiction and parenting her child in addition to some freelance non-fiction work.

Gordon didn't provide a reason for leaving, but said he's been honoured to work at the Citizen with colleagues he called "personal heroes" of his.

The two writers will serve their last days in early December.

The Citizen is owned by Postmedia, which drew criticism during the federal election for requiring all of its daily newspapers, including the Citizen, to post editorials endorsing former prime minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives.