As the year 2025 draws to a close, CTV News Montreal has unveiled the list of articles that resonated most powerfully with its audience. The top ten most-read stories of the year paint a vivid picture of the concerns and events that gripped the city, spanning heartbreaking local incidents, ongoing social challenges, and significant political developments.
A Year Defined by Local Tragedy and Social Strain
The stories that dominated reader attention often reflected deep-seated community anxieties. Among the most clicked was the coverage of a devastating arson attack at a Montreal psychiatric hospital, for which police are still seeking a suspect. This incident underscored vulnerabilities within the city's healthcare infrastructure.
Similarly, the ongoing housing crisis and homelessness remained a focal point. Readers sought information on shelters and places offering comfort during the holidays, highlighting a collective awareness of social inequality. Another profoundly personal story that garnered significant attention detailed the plight of a Renfrew man who described himself as a "prisoner," waiting 17 years in a hospital due to delays in provincial funding for appropriate care.
Political Tensions and Wider National Stories
Montreal readers also demonstrated a keen interest in stories with national and international political ramifications. Coverage of Canada's stance on Ukrainian sovereignty amid talks of a potential peace deal was widely read. Additionally, the story about Defence Minister Anita Anand reaffirming Greenland's sovereignty in response to renewed U.S. annexation chatter captured significant attention.
The list also included major national news items that resonated locally, such as the interim parliamentary budget officer's candid criticism of federal fiscal management, which he later expressed regret over calling "stupefying."
Crime, Safety, and Community Concerns
Public safety stories consistently drew high traffic. Reports on a targeted shooting in Colwood, B.C. that left a man injured and the suspect at large, along with an incident where ICE agents shot at a moving vehicle on Christmas Eve, injuring two, were among the top reads. Closer to home, the discovery that dead crows in Chatham-Kent tested positive for avian influenza raised public health concerns.
The list further included impactful stories from across the country that Montrealers followed closely, such as the fatal crash involving 'Call of Duty' co-creator Vince Zampella, a multi-million-dollar drug seizure in Lambton County, and the first hate crime charges laid on P.E.I. over alleged antisemitic posts.
The compilation, published on December 25, 2025, serves as a digital time capsule for the year. It reveals a readership deeply engaged with both hyper-local issues affecting their city's streets and institutions, and broader narratives shaping the nation and the world. From missing children and political debates to housing woes and headline-grabbing crimes, these top ten stories collectively define a complex and eventful year for Montreal and beyond.
