2021 Year in Review

(Twitter/BC Conservation Officer Service)

Otter with a toothache, cougar in a pink collar top most ‘unique’ calls for BC COS in 2021

Conservation Officers handle 30,000 calls per year on average

 

Surrey-raised pro wrestler John “Earthquake” Tenta made a name for himself on the WWF circuit (now WWE) in the early 1990s. (contributed photo)

Favourite Black Press Media stories of 2021, chosen by our journalists

Our editorial staff share their favourite stories from the year across our 80 local publications

 

Cyclists roll down Wharf Street’s protected bike lane in Victoria. (Jake Romphf/News staff)

Victoria’s 2022 outlook: Housing key to recovery, bike lanes can benefit everyone, says mayor

Lisa Helps weighs in on business recovery, expanding bike lanes, 2022 municipal election

 

Residents express concern for pedestrian safety on Sayward and Alderley roads where the route is heavily used for industrial travel. (Photo courtesy of Vina Moldoveanu)

3 Saanich topics to watch for in 2022

Environment versus development, safer roads and the looming election will spur headlines next year

Residents express concern for pedestrian safety on Sayward and Alderley roads where the route is heavily used for industrial travel. (Photo courtesy of Vina Moldoveanu)
Deconstruction of Oak Bay Lodge in December 2021. The work is expected to run well into spring 2022. (Christine van Reeuwk/News Staff)

3 Oak Bay topics to watch for in 2022

Marina, lodge, suites issues key news reads in the new year

Deconstruction of Oak Bay Lodge in December 2021. The work is expected to run well into spring 2022. (Christine van Reeuwk/News Staff)
Steve Duck, then-president of the Sidney Community Association, opened the all-candidates meeting for the 2018 municipal election in Sidney. Voters across British Columbia will elect new councils and school boards members on Saturday, Oct. 15. (Black Press Media file photo)

Municipal election, North Saanich’s OCP review among stories looming in 2022

Concerned Citizens of Sidney also continue to investigate future of Sidney’s Beacon Wharf

Steve Duck, then-president of the Sidney Community Association, opened the all-candidates meeting for the 2018 municipal election in Sidney. Voters across British Columbia will elect new councils and school boards members on Saturday, Oct. 15. (Black Press Media file photo)
Nine-year-old Emily Loewen at Vedder Park on July 11, 2021 after raising hundreds of dollars from a group of motorcycle riders for Lytton wildfire victims with her lemonade stand. (Darcy Loewen photo)

Cats, grandmas and twins: Here are 7 B.C. stories that brightened 2021

2021 wasn’t the year that most hoped for but there were glimmers of joy nonetheless

Nine-year-old Emily Loewen at Vedder Park on July 11, 2021 after raising hundreds of dollars from a group of motorcycle riders for Lytton wildfire victims with her lemonade stand. (Darcy Loewen photo)
From Jan. 1 to Dec. 15 this year, 40,333 babies were born in the province. (Pixabay photo)

B.C.’s top baby names of 2021 revealed

Olivia and Liam are the most popular baby names once again

From Jan. 1 to Dec. 15 this year, 40,333 babies were born in the province. (Pixabay photo)
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins proudly lists the accomplishments in developments and community amenities the municipality saw in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mayor takes a look back, a look ahead in Esquimalt

Barbara Desjardins voices pride in community’s accomplishments through difficult times in 2021

  • Dec 31, 2021
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins proudly lists the accomplishments in developments and community amenities the municipality saw in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
The West Shore Parks and Recreation Centre preschool got a lasting makeover after the Netflix show MAID used it for filming in February 2021. This story was one of the most read in 2021 by West Shore readers. (Courtesy Alexandra Matthew)

Looking back at the top West Shore stories of 2021

Six stories which captured the interest of Goldstream Gazette readers over the past year

The West Shore Parks and Recreation Centre preschool got a lasting makeover after the Netflix show MAID used it for filming in February 2021. This story was one of the most read in 2021 by West Shore readers. (Courtesy Alexandra Matthew)
Co-organizer Russell Tripp addresses the crowd during a protest Oct. 30 designed to save Beacon Wharf in Sidney. Days later, council voted unanimously to maintain the wharf for as long as possible without replacing it, sinking a controversial pontoon proposal that would have seen the municipality and the private Marker Group strike a public-private partnership. (Submitted)

Challenges of future growth and painful stories of the past shape headlines on Saanich Peninsula

Sidney’s wharf, the $341-million sale of a Central Saanich company and arrival of Amazon dominate headlines

Co-organizer Russell Tripp addresses the crowd during a protest Oct. 30 designed to save Beacon Wharf in Sidney. Days later, council voted unanimously to maintain the wharf for as long as possible without replacing it, sinking a controversial pontoon proposal that would have seen the municipality and the private Marker Group strike a public-private partnership. (Submitted)
A heritage home slated for moving remains on Hampshire Road in November. It was the subject of a top 2021 story after Oak Bay put a 60-day protection order on the home. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Looking back at the top 5 Oak Bay stories of 2021

These stories captured the interest of readers most over the year

A heritage home slated for moving remains on Hampshire Road in November. It was the subject of a top 2021 story after Oak Bay put a 60-day protection order on the home. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Firefighters responded to a report of an ‘explosion’ Apr. 9 at Uptown Walmart. The call turned out to be a car driven through a wall and ultimately trapping store employees in a freezer. The account was one of Saanich News’ most read stories in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Looking back on the top Saanich stories of 2021

6 stories that captured the interest of Saanich News readers over the past year

Firefighters responded to a report of an ‘explosion’ Apr. 9 at Uptown Walmart. The call turned out to be a car driven through a wall and ultimately trapping store employees in a freezer. The account was one of Saanich News’ most read stories in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Young cancer survivor Dez Young went up to 16 days without food this past spring while in care at Victoria General Hospital, due to lack of availability of a doctor to replace his feeding tube. (Courtesy of Arabella Young)

Looking back at the top Victoria stories of 2021

Human suffering, climate and environment and household sustainability were key themes

Young cancer survivor Dez Young went up to 16 days without food this past spring while in care at Victoria General Hospital, due to lack of availability of a doctor to replace his feeding tube. (Courtesy of Arabella Young)
MLA Mitzi Dean looks back at a year filled with health care crises and accomplishments, housing victories and challenges and other key themes for her Esquimalt-Metchosin riding. (Photo Don Craig/BC government communications)

MLA takes a look back at 2021 in Esquimalt-Metchosin

Mitzi Dean applauds the way people have supported each other in a challenging year

  • Dec 30, 2021
MLA Mitzi Dean looks back at a year filled with health care crises and accomplishments, housing victories and challenges and other key themes for her Esquimalt-Metchosin riding. (Photo Don Craig/BC government communications)
FILE - Fashion designer Virgil Abloh gives a thumbs up after the presentation of Off-White Men's Spring-Summer 2019 collection presented in Paris, Wednesday June 20, 2018. Abloh, a leading fashion executive hailed as the Karl Lagerfeld of his generation, died Nov. 28, 2021, after a private battle with cancer. He was 41. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Final Goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2021

They both carved out sterling reputations as military and political leaders over…

FILE - Fashion designer Virgil Abloh gives a thumbs up after the presentation of Off-White Men's Spring-Summer 2019 collection presented in Paris, Wednesday June 20, 2018. Abloh, a leading fashion executive hailed as the Karl Lagerfeld of his generation, died Nov. 28, 2021, after a private battle with cancer. He was 41. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
Premier John Horgan and Education Minister Rob Fleming read stories to kids at the James Bay Library in Victoria on July 3. (Greater Victoria Public Library photo)

COLUMN: Province improved the ways people get around this year

MLA Rob Fleming looks back at 2021

  • Dec 30, 2021
Premier John Horgan and Education Minister Rob Fleming read stories to kids at the James Bay Library in Victoria on July 3. (Greater Victoria Public Library photo)
Al Smith, executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, encourages residents to shop local to help merchants through the next wave of the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)

Saanich Peninsula business association looks ahead to 2022

Executive director Al Smith proud of how businesses adapted to changing realities through pandemic

  • Dec 30, 2021
Al Smith, executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, encourages residents to shop local to help merchants through the next wave of the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)
Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Grace Lore is parliamentary secretary for gender equity in the BC NDP government. (Courtesy of Grace Lore)

Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA reflects on 2021

Grace Lore looks back at the accomplishments and challenges of the past year

  • Dec 30, 2021
Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Grace Lore is parliamentary secretary for gender equity in the BC NDP government. (Courtesy of Grace Lore)
Saanich South MLA Lana Popham at the B.C. legislature. (Black Press Media file photo)

COLUMN: The word resiliency best sums up 2021, says agriculture minister

MLA grateful to be part of the Saanich community

  • Dec 30, 2021
Saanich South MLA Lana Popham at the B.C. legislature. (Black Press Media file photo)