Best of 2022

Geoff de Ruiter organized a Ducknana event in Victoria to help build a sense of community after a couple of difficult years. (Photo courtesy of Geoff de Ruiter)

Censored Sasquatch, Ducknana diehards: Wacky B.C. stories from 2022

Don’t forget the breastfeeding mom who saved her goose or the music teacher who scared off a bear

 

Autumn Lott at Gilman’s point, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. At seven years old, she’s the youngest Canadian to have ever summitted the infamous peak. (Francesca Lott photo)

Good news stories from 2022 to reflect on in 2023

These British Columbians were lifting spirits across the province

 

From Jan. 1 to Dec. 8, there were 37,801 babies born in B.C. (Pixabay.com photo)

37,801 babies were born in B.C. so far this year: These are the most popular names

There is over 100 years of baby names recorded in British Columbia, available to the public

 

Olive doesn’t mind the snow if there are treats involved (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
Olive doesn’t mind the snow if there are treats involved (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
B.C. athletes shot for the stars in 2022. Clockwise from top left: Melanie Vogal, Rio Crystal, Teagan Dunnett, Kimberly Newell. (Photos submitted)

From cross-Arctic treks to Olympic dreams, B.C. athletes made 2022 one for the books

Athletes didn’t shy away from adventure this year

B.C. athletes shot for the stars in 2022. Clockwise from top left: Melanie Vogal, Rio Crystal, Teagan Dunnett, Kimberly Newell. (Photos submitted)
Pedestrians walk through a sliver of sunlight in the financial district in downtown Toronto on Wednesday July 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Good riddance: Most Canadians feel 2022 was worse than 2021, poll suggests

Thirty-one per cent of respondents felt this year was worse for them than last year

Pedestrians walk through a sliver of sunlight in the financial district in downtown Toronto on Wednesday July 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Canada skip Brad Gushue, right, discusses a shot with third Mark Nichols during their bronze medal curling match against the United States Friday, February 18, 2022 at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Curling Canada is hoping an ongoing high-performance review will help put the federation on track for success after a disappointing showing on the international stage last season.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

A look at Curling Canada’s hopes in 2023

Dates for the Olympic trials and mixed doubles trials have yet to be announced

Canada skip Brad Gushue, right, discusses a shot with third Mark Nichols during their bronze medal curling match against the United States Friday, February 18, 2022 at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Curling Canada is hoping an ongoing high-performance review will help put the federation on track for success after a disappointing showing on the international stage last season.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre asks a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Pierre Poilievre thinks he can win over new Canadians. Here’s how he plans to do it.

Conservatives have lost three straight elections to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre asks a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses in his office in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. Trudeau is asking Canadians to remind themselves how fortunate they are “to live in a country of peace.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Trudeau says Canada is fortunate to be a ‘country of peace’ in Christmas message

This holiday season marks a return to more normalcy for millions of Canadians

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses in his office in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. Trudeau is asking Canadians to remind themselves how fortunate they are “to live in a country of peace.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
In August, actor and director Jonah Hill deleted his Instagram account as he penned a letter to Deadline saying he would be stepping back from the public eye to help him cope with anxiety attacks. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Celebrities on the mental-health toll of fame in the social media age

‘We’ve stopped relating to each other because now we’re in our own bubble of what our device is’

In August, actor and director Jonah Hill deleted his Instagram account as he penned a letter to Deadline saying he would be stepping back from the public eye to help him cope with anxiety attacks. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
This image released by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment shows Gabriel LaBelle in a scene from “The Fabelmans.” (Merie Weismiller Wallace/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment via AP)

‘Aftersun,’ ‘Banshees’ lead the Associated Press list of best films of 2022

Film writers offer their top choices for the year that was

This image released by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment shows Gabriel LaBelle in a scene from “The Fabelmans.” (Merie Weismiller Wallace/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment via AP)
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam attends a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. Tam says COVID-19 is still circulating at a “relatively high level” and other strains of influenza may surge in the new year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Dr. Theresa Tam on preparing for the next battle with COVID-19, and future epidemics

Country’s top public health official urging Canadians to ‘remain vigilant’

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam attends a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. Tam says COVID-19 is still circulating at a “relatively high level” and other strains of influenza may surge in the new year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A person looks out over Lake Ontario as a thunderstorm rolls through Toronto on Thursday, August 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

‘Weird and wacky’: Hurricane Fiona top weather story in stormy, wet, windy, dry year

Canadians learned about springuary, hotumn, derecho, urban flooding and hybrid storms in 2022

A person looks out over Lake Ontario as a thunderstorm rolls through Toronto on Thursday, August 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Protesters and supporters gather to listen to speakers in downtown Ottawa as a protest against COVID-19 measures that has grown into a broader anti-government protest continues to occupy Ottawa, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. The “Freedom Convoy” protest was chosen as The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

‘Freedom Convoy’ protesters voted The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year

Several organizers and protesters are expected to stand trial next year on a variety of charges

Protesters and supporters gather to listen to speakers in downtown Ottawa as a protest against COVID-19 measures that has grown into a broader anti-government protest continues to occupy Ottawa, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. The “Freedom Convoy” protest was chosen as The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
This image released by Loma Vista Records shows album art for “Sometimes, Forever” by Soccer Mommy. (Loma Vista via AP)

AP’s top albums 2022: ‘Renaissance,’ ‘Motomami,’ Bad Bunny

From The Weeknd to Charley Crockett, the best musical releases of the year

This image released by Loma Vista Records shows album art for “Sometimes, Forever” by Soccer Mommy. (Loma Vista via AP)