2011's top stories: Layton, tsunami, Vancouver riots and more
CBC News
Posted: Dec 20, 2011 5:14 AM ET
Last Updated: Dec 20, 2011 10:51 AM ET
Jack Layton, shown during an NDP convention in June 2011, died on Aug. 22 after a battle with cancer. His farewell letter to Canadians, written days before his death, became the most-viewed story on CBC.ca in 2011. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
Related
2011: Year In Review
- 2011's top stories: Layton, tsunami, Vancouver riots and more
- 2011's top stories from around the world
- Notable world deaths of 2011
- How Canada influenced the world in 2011
- 2011's top stories in Canada: Royal visit, Layton, McGuinty and more
- Notable Canadian deaths in 2011
- Top tech news of 2011: Steve Jobs, UBB, data breaches and more
- Top Community stories of 2011: Arab Spring, long-gun registry, Vancouver riots and more
- Top politics stories of 2011: Layton, Harper, hackers and a page
- Top 10 health stories of 2011: From EEGs to Vicks VapoRub
- 2011's top arts stories: Amy Winehouse, Liz Taylor and Charlie Sheen
- 10 pop culture moments of 2011
- PHOTOS: Notable entertainment deaths of 2011
- The most-read business stories in 2011 at cbc.ca
- 9/11: 10 years later
The past year has been a tumultuous one — the headlines that gripped online readers ranged from a devastating tsunami in Japan to a violent post-Stanley Cup loss riot in downtown Vancouver.
CBCNews.ca readers were also drawn to stories about pivotal shifts in the Canadian political landscape, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper winning a majority and the New Democrats securing a landmark number of seats to become the official Opposition.
But the most-viewed piece of 2011 wasn't written by a journalist: It was NDP Leader Jack Layton's last letter to Canadians, written days before his death on Aug. 22, and released shortly after. A story about the 61-year-old Official Opposition head's death after a battle with cancer was also the fourth most-read story of the year on CBCNews.ca.
"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair," he wrote in his letter. "So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world."
Top 10 stories of 2011 on CBCNews.ca:
- Jack Layton's last letter to Canadians
- Japan quake, tsunami cause 'major damage'
- Harper: Majority win turns page on uncertainties
- Jack Layton remembered as 'courageous'
- Riots erupt in Vancouver after Canucks loss
- 6.4 magnitude quake shakes southwest B.C.
- Vancouver police arrest more than 100 in riot
- Edmonton store bars girl's service dog twice
- B.C. parents say 'thank you' after abducted son returned
- Canadian tourist accuses Mexican police of raping her
January:
- Canadian tourist accuses Mexican police of raping her
- 2nd suspect sought in congresswoman shooting
- Toronto policeman killed by stolen snowplow
- Accused Arizona gunman denied bail
- Kinder Surprise egg seized at U.S. border
February:
- Blizzard warning issued for southwestern Ontario
- Egypt's Mubarak quits under protest pressure
- Foreign hackers attack Canadian government
- Libyan violence draws UN condemnation
- Ont. winter storm less severe than predicted
March:
- Japan quake, tsunami cause 'major damage'
- B.C. tsunami threat passes
- Special Report: Japan rebuilds
- Japanese helicopters dump water on nuclear reactor
- Partial meltdown likely: Japanese official
April:
- William, Kate unite in fairy-tale wedding
- Driver stopped had armchair for passenger seat
- Harper 'tossed me under a bus': Guergis
- William and Kate wedding details emerge
- Kate's wedding dress a labour of lace
May:
- Harper: Majority win turns page on uncertainties
- Fire destroys 40% of Slave Lake
- Ignatieff quits as Liberal leader
- Bin Laden death ends 10-year manhunt
- Obama monitored top-secret Bin Laden raid
June:
- Riots erupt in Vancouver after Canucks loss
- Vancouver police arrest more than 100 in riot
- Vancouver riot's kissing couple uncovered
- Will and Kate warmly received in Ottawa
- Tories prepare to end Canada Post labour dispute
July:
- Singer Amy Winehouse found dead
- Jack Layton to take leave after new cancer found
- Norway island camp massacre claims 80
- Prince William and Kate bid farewell to P.E.I.
- Will and Kate thrill Slave Lake residents
August:
- Jack Layton's last letter to Canadians
- Jack Layton remembered as 'courageous'
- Plane crash near Resolute Bay kills 12
- Olivia Chow, NDP MPs greet Layton mourners
- Virginia earthquake's tremors felt far and wide
September:
- 6.4 magnitude quake shakes southwest B.C.
- B.C. parents say 'thank you' after abducted son returned
- Plane crash kills KHL team in hockey's 'darkest day'
- Canadians with mental illnesses denied U.S. entry
- B.C. child abduction suspect to appear in court
October:
- Edmonton store bars girl's service dog twice
- Ontario's McGuinty re-elected, but loses majority
- Gadhafi killed in crossfire, Libyan PM says
- Apple co-founder Steve Jobs dies at 56
- Rob Ford denies calling 911 dispatcher names
November:
- Bill would make wearing masks during riots a crime
- Occupy Vancouver death dooms protest camp
- Calgary buildings damaged in storm
- Remembrance Day: Lest we forget
- Retired couple billed $50,000 despite travel insurance
December (first week):
Share Tools
Big Box Advertisement
Top News Headlines
- Canadian Pacific strikers face back-to-work legislation
- Labour Minister Lisa Raitt is prepared to end the Canadian Pacific Railway strike if necessary, after both CP and the union rejected a proposal for voluntary arbitration by the government-appointed negotiator on Sunday. Raitt says she is "extremely disappointed." more »
- Quebec students and province to resume talks
- Quebec's university student federation has confirmed negotiations between student leaders and the provincial government will resume Monday afternoon. more »
- Syrian regime denies role in Houla massacre
- The UN Security Council condemned the Syrian regime at an emergency meeting Sunday, holding president Bashar al-Assad's military responsible for the massacre of more than 100 people, dozens of whom were children younger than 10 years old. more »
- Ryder Hesjedal wins prestigious Giro d'Italia
- Victoria native Ryder Hesjedal has become the first Canadian to win one of the cycling world's three Grand Tour events, wrapping up the 2012 Giro d'Italia with an excellent performance in the final stage in Milan. more »
- Neighbour may have helped find missing kids in Mexico
- Two Winnipeg children who had been missing for nearly four years were found in Mexico after a man raised concerns about his neighbour, according to a private investigator. more »
Latest World News Headlines
- Egypt presidential candidates allege vote fraud
- Three top candidates in Egypt's presidential race have filed appeals to the election commission, alleging violations in the first round vote that they say could change the outcome. more »
- Ryder Hesjedal wins prestigious Giro d'Italia
- Victoria native Ryder Hesjedal has become the first Canadian to win one of the cycling world's three Grand Tour events, wrapping up the 2012 Giro d'Italia with an excellent performance in the final stage in Milan. more »
- IMF chief blasted for chastising Greeks on tax evasion
- International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde is backtracking from recent remarks that she has more sympathy for poor African children than Greeks suffering under the country's economic problems and austerity measures. more »
- Nepal PM calls new elections after constitution failure
- Nepal's prime minister called new elections for November after the term of the Constituent Assembly expired at midnight Sunday without political leaders completing the task of writing a new constitution. more »
Dispatches »
- Foreign slaves serving the U.S. military machine May. 24, 2012 3:33 PM How does a hairdresser recruited for work in Dubai, wind up slaving for the U.S. military in a war zone in Iraq? There are tens of thousands serving in what's come to be known as America's "Invisible Army."
Connect Newsroom Blog
Etan Patz, Brian Banks & 50 Shades of Grey May. 25, 2012 8:56 PM On his first full day of his new life, former football star Brian Banks joins us live.
- Seniors float above Montreal's Quartier Latin
- Accused in blast that killed Alberta mom handled her funds
- Remains found in bag on Cape Breton river ID'd
- Neighbour may have helped find missing kids in Mexico
- Quebec students and province to resume talks
- Lip-dub marriage proposal an internet hit
- Syrian regime denies role in Houla massacre
- B.C. NDP calls for unity in fighting coast guard closure
- Canadian Pacific strikers face back-to-work legislation
Big Box Advertisement
