2021 has come to an end, so I would like to present my annual ‘Year in Review’.

2021 has become a second straight ‘Annus Horribilis’ as we have dealt with the COVID pandemic. This included lockdowns and restrictions during the second and third waves of the pandemic and the fourth wave continuing to cause concern. While many have been vaccinated, and booster shots being given out towards the end of the year, the country is still dealing with the effects of the pandemic.

2021 still managed to be a busy year, though.

Some highlights of 2021 include:

In January:

• Julie Payette resigned as Governor General following claims of harassment from staff members. She would be succeeded by Mary Simon in July. While this issue raised questions over the position of Governor General, I wrote in defence of our Constitutional Monarchy.
• Canada would host the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship for the 14th time and would go undefeated in the series until the Gold Medal game, losing 2-0 to Team USA, but earning our 10 Silver Medal and 33 medal overall.
• George Armstrong, Hank Aaron, and Tommy Lasorda all passed away during January.

In February:

• Christopher Plummer Passed Away at 91
• Iain Rankin is elected leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.

In March:

• The Liberal Party wins a majority Government in the Newfoundland and Labrador General election.
• Maestro James Levine Passed Away at 77

In April:

• The Yukon general election results in a minority Government for the Liberals, but would enter into a formal confidence and supply agreement with the NDP.
• Prince Phillip would pass away weeks prior to his 100th birthday.
• Christa Ludwig, the famed German mezzo, would also pass away during the month.

In May:

• Canadians would learn about 215 unmarked graves being discovered at the former Kamloops Residential School.
• On May 2nd, Amtrak turned 50 years old.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs would face off against their archrivals – the Montreal Canadiens – in the first round of the 2021 NHL playoffs. The Canadiens would win the series in a seven game series on May 31st, coming back from a 3-1 deficit.

In June:

• The Juno Awards were handed out on June 6th.
• I caught one of the first departures of VIA Rail’s flagship train, The Canadian, departing Toronto since the start of the pandemic.
• More residential schools gravesite discoveries: 751 unmarked bodies were found at the Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan on June 24th, and on June 30th another182 unmarked bodies at the Kootenay Indian Residential School near Cranbrook, British Columbia.
• The Canadiens advanced to their first Stanley Cup Finals since 1993 when they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games on June 24th.
• The 2020 Euro Cup Knockout Stages began in June 26th with the Euro 2020 Quarterfinals set to begin at the end of the month.

In July:

• Canada celebrated its’ 154th Birthday.
• The Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup in five games over the Montreal Canadiens on July 7th.
• More sporting events return to Canada as the Toronto FC played their first home game on July 17th, followed by the Toronto Blue Jays on July 30th.
• Penny Oleksiak became the most decorated Canadian at the Olympics when she won the Bronze Medal in the women’s 4 × 100 metre medley relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics
• On July 11th, Italy defeated England to win the Euro Cup.
• On July 26th, Mary Simon is sworn in as the Governor General and the first person of First Nations’ descent to hold the position.

In August:

• The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo ended on August 8th with Team Canada Winnning 24 Medals.
• On August 8th, Former Ontario Premier Bill Davis Passed Away at 92
• The Nova Scotian Progressive Conservatives won the 2021 Nova Scotia general election on August 17th.

In September:

• On September 1st, the Toronto Transit Commission turned 100.
• From September 9th to 18th the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival took place.
• On September 20th, the 44th Federal General election was held with the Liberal Party under Justin Trudeau retaining its’ minority status.
• On September 25th, Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig arrive home after being detained in China for nearly three years.
• Annamie Paul announced her resignation as leader of the Federal Green Party on September 27th after the election and due to internal fighting within the party over her leadership.
• I took a quick trip to Windsor.
• The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation takes place on September 30th to honour the memories of those who passed away in residential schools.

In October:

• Municipal elections are held in Alberta on October 18th.
• On October 25th, Nunavut held a general election.
• Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink and Canadian actress Martha Henry both passed away.
• The World Series started on October 26th between the Atlanta Braves (NL) and Houston Astros (AL).

In November:

• Canada celebrated Remembrance Day and the 100th Anniversary of the Poppy.
• Severe rain on the west coast caused floods in southern British Columbia, causing closures to highways and rail lines and the evacuation in parts of British Columbia, including in Abbotsford and Merritt.
• Maple Leaf Gardens, the former home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, turned 90 years old.

In December:

• On December 12th, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers won the 108th Grey Cup in overtime over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. This is their 12th Grey Cup win, and was a second title in a row after winning in 2019 (there was no Grey Cup game in 2020 due to the pandemic.)
• On Boxing Day, Arhbishop Desmond Tutu Passed Away
• On December 31st, Betty White Passed Away

The pandemic has continued to plague Canada and the world in 2021. A number of events in 2021 were cancelled due to the pandemic, including the 2021 U Sports Women’s Basketball Championship, the 2021 U Sports Men’s Basketball Championship, the 2021 Toronto International Boat Show, the Toronto St Patrick’s Day and Santa Claus Parades, the Canadian National Exhibition, and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

A break down of the stats of my Blog show that it has been visited over 1,500 times this year, with the most popular entries being:

• Farewell to ALRV #4243 (36 views)
• Former Ontario Premier Bill Davis Passes Away at 92 (33)
• Special Assessments are not the only Option for Reserve Fund Repairs (20)
• The Adamson Estate (17)
• How to Fix Region of Peel’s Council (16)
• Maple Leaf Gardens Turns 90 (15)
• 2021 NHL Playoffs First Round (15)
• Prince Phillip Passes Away at 99 (14)
• The Etobicoke Creek in Snow (13)

A hope comes from the COVID vaccine, with multiple companies offering them. The vast majority of the population has been vaccinated against COVID, and many are now receiving booster shots due to the Omicron variant.

Let’s hope that 2022 ends up being brighter than 2021 and 2020.

Now for some random pictures: