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    • Feel-good stories of 2021: From life-saving animals to gold-medal wins

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    From life-saving animals to gold-medal-winning performances, 2021 saw its fair share of lighthearted and inspiring moments — in spite of a year still dominated by the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.

    Here are some of the moments from the past year that left Canadians smiling, laughing and proud.

    MAN'S BEST FRIEND

    Over the last four years, Will Finch of Mississauga, Ont., has raised more than $40,000 on his birthday to help rescue animals. The 11-year-old started the initiative, Good Will Good Karma, after losing his puppy Karma, a rescue, but decided to "turn that hurt into love."

    Over in the nation's capital, one woman was after suffering a seizure while walking her one-and-a-half-year old Maremma mix, Clover. Video from a neighbour's security camera shows Haley Moore collapsing while walking in her Stittsville neighbourhood, followed by Clover freeing her leash and blocking an oncoming truck. "If this ends up happening again, I feel 10 times safer and I know she will be there for me," Moore said.

    And just last month near Gimli, Man., a woman caught her on home security footage taking a golf cart in the yard for a joy ride before making a U-turn and smashing it into her truck. Titan walked away injury-free, while the truck suffered minor damage. "He still wants to go for golf cart rides so you'll still catch him sitting in the golf cart ‘cause that’s one of his favourite things to do," Mallory Kmet said.

    $60M JACKPOT WON FROM A DREAM

    Deng Pravatoudom of Toronto won a this year after playing the same lottery numbers for 20 years, which came to her husband in a dream. Pravatoudom and her 14 siblings immigrated to Canada from Laos in 1980 after she and her family were sponsored by a local church. She said she and her husband worked for more than 40 years as general labourers, saving what they could, before she was laid off from her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "All the hardship is over now," Pravatoudom said through a translator while accepting her giant cheque.

    ONLINE SENSATIONS

    A couple near Swift Current, Sask., woke up one morning to find a drawing had gone viral, garnering upward of 10 million views and attracting the attention of pop singer Halsey. Their daughter Bella was born with a genetic condition and has an immunodeficiency disease, along with a condition that had her on a list for a bowel transplant. Her mother, Kyla Thomson, has been sharing Bella's medical journey since she was born on a blog and social media.

    Out in Algonquins of Barriere Lake, a northern Quebec First Nation about 400 kilometres northwest of Montreal, nine-year-old Washiiyeh Jeannotte has made a name for himself with a series of Instagram videos showcasing his hockey skills. The NHL would eventually take notice and post a compilation of Washiiyeh's moves on its own Instagram page.

    Two-year-old Adia Leidums saw herself featured on CNN after her downhill skiing — and catchy phrases — were out on the hills of Fernie, B.C. "She's adorable. It's cute as anything," said her dad, Erich Leidums. "It steals my heart for sure." In another show of winter talent, snowboarding garnered millions of views on TikTok. Her father, Guillaume Barabe, said it all started when he rented a snowboard for her to ride during Christmas, and she immediately took to it.

    Meanwhile, one Winnipeg man has racked up millions of views for his TikTok channel of him simply smiling for the camera. Borzah Yankey challenges anyone watching his videos to "try not to smile." Yankey says he receives DMs from people all the time telling him their child couldn't get through without smiling. He says he wants to spread his smile to cheer up others during the pandemic.

    And one woman from Coalhurst, Alta., earned millions of views for a TikTok video of her life hack showing . Among those who liked her video was Dan Povenmire, one of the creators of the animated American TV series Phineas and Ferb, and voice of Dr. Heinz Doofenschmirtz. "People want me to be their mom, which is funny because I'm only 29," said Carol Larson.

    FALLING IN LOVE

    After hearing of a possible break-in at his Montreal barbershop, one of the owners of Savvy Barbershop decided to watch his security footage, only to discover that the broken glass at his business occurred after a couple fell through while kissing. The shop's owners said they were willing to pay for a night's stay in a hotel for the couple if they came forward and identified themselves. The shards of glass have since been framed inside the shop. "I think that there's something romantic about never finding out who it is. They just stay this mystery couple that'll be part of our history forever. It's kind of fun," said co-owner Mike Rose.

    SPORTS

    A 52-year-old woman from Vernon, B.C., made history as the first woman to win the Race Across America after cycling 4,800 kilometres in 11 days, three hours and three minutes. Leah Goldstein was one of just three people to complete the race this year after many cyclists dropped out due to the high temperatures. Her closest competitor crossed the finish line 17 hours behind her. "I always say it's 40 per cent physical and it's 60 per cent mental, so you have to have it up here before anything, that's where it really stems from," she said.

    During the Summer Games in Tokyo, Canada's women's soccer team emerged with an Olympic gold medal after coming out of a 1-1 tie in regulation to defeat Sweden 3-2 on penalty kicks. "I'm just like completely overwhelmed," said captain Christine Sinclair. "We had a goal here to change the colour of the medal and we landed on the top of the podium." On the men's side, a highlight reel finish from Alphonso Davies helped solidify Canada's 4-1 victory over Panama in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying play. The goal got the attention of Drake, who texted the 20-year-old Bayern Munich star after the game saying he wanted to meet.

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    • The federal government is urging both sides in the British Columbia port dispute to return to the table after mediated talks broke off on Saturday, the first of three scheduled days.

    • Thousands of people gathered in downtown Vancouver Monday to observe the 100th Remembrance day ceremony at the Victory Square cenotaph, paying their respects to the Canadian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

    • Several hundred people gathered outside the Ontario legislature in Toronto to honour veterans and remember those who died fighting for their country.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift’s upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada’s largest city for a six-show run later this month.

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    • Crowds gathered in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Monday to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of Canada.

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    • A 36-year-old Montreal man who was out on bail after allegedly uttering death threats to a woman is now accused of murdering her on the South Shore.

    • Private Martine Roy was only 20 years old in 1984 when she was arrested, interrogated and dismissed from the Canadian Armed Forces for being what was then termed a "sexual deviant."

    • With fewer interments and rising maintenance fees, the money for Canada's largest military cemetery will run out in three to four years.

    • A member of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton participated in the national Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on Monday.

    • Canada will be without captain Alphonso Davies for its upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

    • Thousands of Maritimers turned out in wet weather Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day.

    • A Cape Breton senior recalls her life in German-occupied France, and her mother’s death, during the Second World War.

    • Thousand of people gathered at the Menin Gate in the Ypres, Belgium for Monday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony.

    • Thousands gathered at the RBC Convention Centre on Monday to bear witness to a sombre and historic Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • One Manitoba veteran is on a mission to commemorate and honour those who served our country, and not just on Remembrance Day.

    • Winnipeg police have identified two men involved in a stabbing incident earlier this week.

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    • Fire crews reported that no one was hurt after flames broke out in a home on Robinson Street in central Regina.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book ‘War Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.’

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

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    • The 75th anniversary of the Barrie Santa Claus Parade will feature floats, live entertainment, and new attractions, including Santa’s Fireside Gathering.

    • Environment Canada issued a weather alert for Barrie, Collingwood and surrounding areas, alerting residents about the wicked winds that are expected to pick up to 80 kilometres per hour in the afternoon hours.

    • Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, wreath bearers, government officials, and members of the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square for the outdoor service.

    • Windsor Paralympic champion, Danielle Campo, has been crowned the number one Inspirational Speaker of the Year for 2024 at the Inspirational Speaking Finals.

    • One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • Six deer were struck by vehicles in six different locations in a six-hour period on B.C. highways on Saturday, according to the transportation ministry.

    • The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year’s host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

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    • Police say that a 16-year-old was attacked with a sword Nov. 3 in Cobalt, Ont., in a case of intimate partner violence.

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    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    Politics

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