As 2025 draws to a close, a review of the year's most-read online stories reveals a tapestry of events that gripped Canadians from coast to coast. The digital landscape was dominated by a mix of breaking news, ongoing political developments, public health alerts, and cherished seasonal traditions.
National Headlines and Heartbreaking Incidents
The news cycle was marked by significant tragedies and criminal investigations. In Ontario, a collision in North York left one person dead and four others injured after a victim was reportedly trapped between a business and a vehicle. Meanwhile, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Halifax police charged a 19-year-old man three months after a fatal crash. Property crime also made headlines, with a St. Albert arena closed indefinitely following a costly theft of copper wire, described by officials as "more than just graffiti."
On the health front, several alerts concerned the public. Health officials reported that five people were hospitalized in an E. coli outbreak linked to Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops. A massive recall expanded to include more than 300 pistachio products due to salmonella risks. Hospitals, like Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), prepared for surges, announcing a weekend clinic to handle an influx of flu cases, while a Sault Ste. Marie hospital warned that a particular flu strain was severely affecting young people.
Politics, Business, and International Affairs
In the political arena, Canada's focus remained on supporting Ukraine's sovereignty amid talks of a potential peace deal. Defence Minister Anita Anand reaffirmed Canada's position on Greenland's sovereignty as discussions resurfaced in Washington. Domestically, interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux expressed regret for his choice of words after calling the federal government's fiscal management "stupefying."
The business world saw major tech moves, with Nvidia agreeing to licence Groq technology and hire its executives. On Christmas Eve, Ontario Premier Doug Ford released a video urging Canadians to shop locally. The S&P/TSX composite ended lower in a shortened pre-holiday trading session.
Seasonal Traditions and Community Stories
Amid the hard news, beloved traditions offered comfort. The NORAD Santa tracking operation once again captured imaginations on Christmas Eve, a treasured holiday ritual. Communities also rallied together; a blood drive in New Brunswick continued to honour a teen, ensuring she wouldn't be forgotten, and Montreal's homeless shelters provided places of comfort to break holiday loneliness.
From a grizzly bear known as "Split Lip" visiting a Lake Louise ski run during Santa Slalom races to last-minute shoppers flooding malls on December 24th, the stories of 2025 painted a full picture of Canadian life—its challenges, its resilience, and its enduring spirit.
