Finally, the end of 2020! And while we’re excited as anyone for this weird year to come to an end, we also shouldn’t get too hung up on negative stuff. So, back in the spring, we started writing about good news stories in Canada every so often. Wouldn’t you know it? There are tons of things that happened this year worth smiling about. Let’s check them out!
Here are some of our favourite good news stories in Canada during 2020.
There’s an All-Canadian Division this year for the NHL
In probably the biggest shakeup in the history of the league, the NHL announced that the 2020-2021 season would feature an All-Canadian division to avoid the added danger of international travel. Know what that means? An entire season of Canadian rivalries! We seriously can’t wait.
West Ed Mall let their penguins out for a stroll
This is more just a fun, feel-good story, but we think it’s worth including. West Edmonton Mall released an absolutely adorable video of their resident penguins exploring the massive space. Want to just smile for a minute? This is your best bet.
Two beautiful places in Atlantic Canada are now UNESCO Global Geoparks
The Cliffs of Fundy and Bonavista Peninsula have been named Global Geoparks. The designation is for notable and important landscapes and places that have international geological significance. So, it seems like it might be a good time to book a trip to check it out (when safe to do so, of course).
Canada joined the Global Ocean Alliance
As humans, water is incredibly important, so it’s essential that we protect our oceans. That’s why it’s great to hear that Canada has joined the Global Ocean Alliance to advocate for protecting 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030. Other countries rallying around the cause include the UK, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Senegal and many more!
Edmonton is hoping to build the largest airport solar panel farm
Did somebody say renewable energy? Edmonton sure did, loudly and clearly. The airport announced plans that they are set to cover 627 acres with those sweet, sweet solar panels. This will hopefully generate enough electricity to power 27 to 28 thousand homes. Wow!
The Canadian Alpaca Market is Booming
Did you know that the number of alpacas in Canada has increased by 50% over the past 15 years? This is especially good news for those who live in Alberta since it’s home to 40% of the country’s population. Alpacas are cute and fuzzy, so we’ll take as many as our farmers and other qualified owners can handle.
Netflix stepped up to support Black Canadian filmmakers
Netflix Canada announced that it was entering a partnership with the Fabienne Colas Foundation, which is behind the Being Black in Canada program. The partnership will help expand services in Montreal, Toronto and Halifax, with more cities coming in the next few years.
The Canucks Have Already Started A Twitter Rivalry With The Seattle Kraken
It was inevitable that any Seattle hockey team would become the immediate target of the Canucks, but no one guessed that it would happen before the league started up again! The Canucks Twitter account has already brought out the big guns. Yes, they really did call them “Squidwards.”
The Calgary Stampede announced its return in 2021
The cancellation of the Calgary Stampede was a weird turning point this summer. When one of your past slogans is ‘Come Hell or High Water’, it’s hard to imagine what could actually stop it in its tracks. Turns out, the answer is a global pandemic. Even still, we’re happy to see them commit to 2021, even if they’re not exactly sure how it’s going to look.
Canada matched $8M in donations for Lebanon
In the summer, Canada announced it would match up to $2M in donations from Canadians to the Humanitarian Coalition in order to help those affected in Beirut. That number was quickly reached, so they quadrupled the total, and then they hit it! About as straightforward as they come for good news stories in Canada, but definitely worth mentioning.
Alphonso Davies made soccer history
Or football, whatever you want to go with. Born in Ghana but raised in Edmonton, Davies became the first member of the Canadian National Team to win the incredibly prestigious Champions League Title with his club, FC Bayern Munich. What’s more- he’s only 19 years old! He’s gonna be an icon in the sport.
Rick Moranis finally reappeared on screen
How Ryan Reynolds got Rick Moranis to appear on screen after a 20 year hiatus for a commercial is beyond us. But, 2020 has been the year of surprises! Luckily, this is one of the best we’ve seen. We’re watching Ghostbusters tonight to celebrate.
The Government announced a ‘Black Entrepreneurship Fund’
The first of its kind in the country’s history, the fund will support existing business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as provide training to those looking to start their own endeavour. Politics aside, it’s great to see marginalized groups receive the support they’ve long deserved.
Schitt’s Creek made history and swept The Emmys
The Canadian TV show that is loved by many was equally loved at The Emmys this year. In fact, they took home 7 golden statues for wins like Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Comedy Series, and a whole lot more. So here’s just one more reason to love this hilarious show!
6 Canadian Cities made The 2021 World’s 100 Best Cities List
Well, give it up for Canada folks! Because Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, and Edmonton made the 2021 World’s Best 100 Cities List. And while none of the cities were in the top 10, we’re still pretty proud that our country has so many loveable cities.
Canadian researchers may have found a new cure for diabetes
A team of researchers based out of the University of Alberta released news that they have maybe found a cure for diabetes. The process uses stem cells to re-wire the patient’s own blood cells, which allows for the natural production of insulin. Right now it’s only been tested on mice, but they’re hoping to start human trials soon.
Ryan Reynolds went halfsies on a professional soccer team
And, the other half is none other than Rob McElhenney. Apparently, the two are hoping to revive a mid-level football club in the UK. Why? Great question. Turns out, sports documentaries have been exploding on streaming sites, and the two want to film turning the club around. Is it irrelevant? Yes. Is it still a good news story with a Canada twist? Absolutely.
Canada confirmed it has ordered hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses
With vaccines getting ever closer to approval, it’s good to hear that Canada has a plan in place. We’ve currently got just under 200 million doses on order from 7 different prospects and can add roughly 200 million more if we need to. Officials are hoping that they can start to be distributed in early 2021.
And we approved a back up plan
The Vancouver-based company AbCellera got its COVID-19 treatment drug approved by Health Canada this fall. The drug will hopefully help those with mild cases recover quicker, and prevent additional hospital stays. Like the vaccines, the new drug will be distributed to areas and groups that need the most help.
A new survey confirmed that people really want to move here
A new global survey found that Canada is the top destination for people wanting to move overseas. What’s more, we have more than double the number of countries (30) wanting to move here than the next closest country, Japan (13). So, Canada might have some issues, but on the whole, we’re still an amazing country.
Canada unveiled its plan to ban plastics
Canada announced a list of plastics to be banned by the end of 2021. We were a little worried at the start, but PPE and other medical gear will not be affected. And, the actual list is things like grocery bags, plastic straws, and 6-pack rings. So, stuff we could do without anyway.
A U of A professor received a Nobel Prize
The University of Alberta professor Dr. Michael Houghton won a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his help in discovering the Hepatitis C virus in the late 80s. What’s more, this represents the first time in 97 years that a Canada-based researcher won the prize. Nice!
A Canadian made the world’s first ‘working lightsaber’
The force is strong with this one. Too strong perhaps. Youtuber, engineer, and Star Wars fan has created a fully retractable lightsaber. Can it cut through droids, walls, and stormtroopers? That’s yet to be discovered.
Taxes to be removed from face masks and face shields
As part of Canada’s economic plan, the government wants to remove the GST/HST on face masks and shields in the country, starting next week. Might not sound like much, but the move is expected to save Canadians some $75,000,000 next year. Not so bad at all!
Toronto’s oldest tree has been saved!
It’s been a long, hard battle to keep Toronto’s oldest tree, a massive Red Oak in North York, from being removed. But it’s done! With the help of 1,300 monetary donors and a whole bunch of organizing, the tree has received Heritage status and is officially protected.
And that’s it, folks! Our roundup of some of our favourite good news stories from Canada during 2020. Sure, they might not all be super important, but that’s not the point! We want to send you into 2021 with a smile.
