CTV News London's Top Stories of 2021
Each year we take a look at the stories that made headlines -- and what really resonated with our viewers.
For 2021 we looked at our biggest stories three different ways, the biggest newsmakers, what our viewers read and what our viewers watched online.
Newsmakers of 2021
1. June 6 attack
The vehicle attack that killed four members of the Afzaal family and left a fifth injured sparked an outpouring of support and a major push to combat Islamophobia across Canada. In depth coverage of the attack, the aftermath and the ongoing court proceedings can be found here.
2. Riverside crash grief
Eight-year-old Alexandra Stemp was killed and nine other injured after a group of pedestrian, including a number of Girl Guides, were struck by a vehicle on Riverside Drive near Wonderland Road on Nov. 30 prompting grief across the city.
3. London represents at Olympics
Local Olympians picked up four of Canada's seven gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, as Canada set a new national record with 24 total medals at the games. And Londoners Damian Warner and Maggie Mac Neil became household names.
4. Year of the vaccine
In the ongoing battle against COVID-19, 2021 was the year of the vaccine. For some it was about resisting the shot -- for a variety of reasons. But as health officials promoted vaccines as the way out of the pandemic, the effort to get everyone vaccinated presented signficant challenge.
5. Western asault allegations
Rumours of multiple sexual assaults during Orientation Week at Western University prompted student outrage, a police investigation, widespread calls for change and an end to sexual violence on campus.
6. Fatal balcony fall
Inayah, a 22-month-old girl, died after falling from her Lyle Street apartment balcony. The incident led to an extensive safety review of the building's balconies and some troubling findings.
7. Defiance in Aylmer
The Town of Aylmer and the surrounding area continued to attract attention throughout 2021, much to the dismay of many of its residents. Defiance of COVID-19 protocols, vaccine hesitancy and confrontations hung over the community for much of the year.
8. Deadly backyard fire
This past summer, tragedy struck in Bayham when a backyard bonfire turned deadly. Five members from the same family suffered serious burns. The youngest victim died from her injuries just days after the incident.
9. Dr. Paul Woods Terminated
Dr. Paul Woods was terminated as the president and CEO of the London Health Sciences Centre in January 2021 after it was revealed he'd travelled to the U.S. multiple times despite government regulations preventing it. He has since launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the hospital saying he was fired in bad faith.
10. Pandemic Election
Canadians dealt with a snap election in September, just two years into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's term. There was much debate about the timing, but despite strong reaction on the campaign trail, the results were underwhelming.
Most Read of 2021
- Police say driver 'intentionally crashed into Muslim family in London, Ont., killing 4
- Province gives clarification on 'stay at home order'
- Massive OPP operation underway in southwestern Ontario including London, Brantford, Barrie
- Amber Alert cancelled for 7-year-old girl from Bayfield, Ont.
- Western University investigating several alleged sexual violence incidents inside residences
- OHL suspends first-round NHL draft pick Logan Mailloux 'indefinitely'
- What we know abot the man accused in the London, Ont. attack
- Relative charged in fire pit incident near Port Burwell, Ont. that killed child
- Nurses walk off the job in Sarnia, Ont. and are now on strike
- London, Ont. mourns after 8-year-old killed, Girl Guides' members among pedestrians struck
Most Watched of 2021
- RAW: Surveillance video of pipe burst in London
- Multiple fatalities involving motor vehicle
- Learning more about suspect Nathaniel Veltman
- Witness describes fatal crash in London, Ont.
- Police confirm 4 pedestrians killed in crash
- London teen youngest local COVID-19-linked death
- 'We believe this was an intentional act'
- LTC driver appears to punch man at bus stop
- CTV National News: Drywallers caught partying
- Vehicle goes airborne in St. Thomas, Ont. crash
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberal MP says she's leaving politics over disrespectful dialogue, threats, misogyny
Liberal MP Pam Damoff says she won't run again in the next federal election, saying she has experienced misogyny, disrespectful dialogue in politics and threats to her life.
Concerns about Plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglass barriers.
Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office
Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.
OPP officer said 'someone's going to get hurt' before wrong-way Hwy. 401 crash
As multiple Durham police cruisers were chasing a robbery suspect on the wrong side of Highway 401 Monday night, an Ontario Provincial Police officer shared his concerns, telling a dispatcher, "Someone's going to get hurt."
Ont. woman who faked pregnancy to defraud doulas arrested again on similar charges
Victims of a Brantford, Ont., woman who was sentenced to house arrest earlier this year for defrauding and deceiving doulas say they’re not surprised she’s been apprehended again on similar charges.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Göring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Poilievre returns to House unrepentant for calling Trudeau 'wacko,' Speaker not resigning
An unrepentant Pierre Poilievre returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to pepper the prime minister about his drug decriminalization policies after being booted the day prior for refusing to take back calling Justin Trudeau 'wacko' over his approach to the issue.
Construction begins on LGBTQ2S+ national monument in Ottawa
Shovels have hit the ground for constuction on Canada's LGBTQ2S+ national monument in Ottawa.
B.C. man awarded $5,000 in damages in first-of-it-kind intimate image case
In a first-of-its-kind case, a B.C. tribunal has ruled on a dispute involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, awarding damages and issuing orders that the photos be destroyed and taken offline.