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鶹ýӳCourier's Top 10 stories of 2017

1) 鶹ýӳfamily behind Steveston sea lion incident contemplate legal action Is there anyone who didn't watch the viral video of the sea lion who snatched a young girl from the pier in Steveston? Her quick-thinking grandfather immediately jumped i
sea lion
A viral video of sea lion pulling a little girl into the water in Richmond sparked many stories across the globe, including a piece that turned out to be the Courier's most-read article in 2017.

1) 鶹ýӳfamily behind Steveston sea lion incident contemplate legal action

Is there anyone who didn't of the sea lion who snatched a young girl from the pier in Steveston?

Her quick-thinking grandfather immediately jumped in to save the child. The incredible footage captured millions of views and sparked a debate about why the sea lion grabbed the girl and whether people understand and respect wildlife.

The Courier's follow-up piece about the possibility the family would launch legal action against the person who filmed the video turned out to be our most-read story — by far.

Read the story

2) What happens when people can't afford to live in Vancouver?

There's likely no subject that earns more ink in 鶹ýӳthan real estate. Prices keep climbing well beyond what most people can pay, leaving many wondering who will be able to afford to live here in coming years.

So, not surprisingly, a piece that captured that concern wound up as our second-most read story.

Read the story

commercial drive
Vancouver’s streets are a lesson in disconnection: many people simply can’t afford to work in the most prosperous city, in the province with Canada’s lowest unemployment rate. Photo Rebecca Blissett

3) Meet the owner of 38 single-family properties in Vancouver

Our third-most popular online story was about — you guessed it — real estate. It revealed the owner of 38 single-family properties in Vancouver. Can you guess who it is?

Find out

3030 Victoria Dr
The owner of this house at 3030 Victoria Dr. also owns 37 other single-family properties in Vancouver. Photo Dan Toulgoet

4) After 70 years in business, 3 Vets closes its doors

The closure of a longtime 鶹ýӳbusiness upset many Courier readers. Ever-increasing property taxes ($90,000 this year), big-box retailers and online sales led to the demise of 3 Vets outdoor equipment store, which shut down mid-December. The business opened on Main Street in 1947, although it later moved to Yukon Street. Our profile of the store and its owners proved popular and was our fourth most-read piece.

Read our feature story

Jerry (left) and Keith Wolfman
3 Vets co-owners Jerry and Keith Wolfman closed their long-serving Yukon Street outdoor equipment store in mid-December. Photo Dan Toulgoet

5) 鶹ýӳhousing market ain’t seen nothing yet

This article, published last June, suggested Vancouver's housing market hadn't reached its peak.

Find out why

real estate
With demand unabated and supply constrained, Vancouver’s affordability issues have only just begun, warns leading new home marketer.

6) 鶹ýӳadopts living wage of $20.62

Taking sixth place is a news story about the City of 鶹ýӳadopting a living wage for city contractors, which guaranteed contractors a "living wage" of $20.62 in salary and benefits. (All city employees already earn a living wage).

Read the details

Deanna Ogle
Deanna Ogle, campaign organizer with the Living Wage for Families Campaign, says a living wage allows city contractors “to breathe a little easier at the end of the month.” Photo Dan Toulgoet

7) 鶹ýӳman's gut instinct earns him police honour

Who doesn't love a hero? Caleb Hystad earned an award of merit from 鶹ýӳMayor Gregor Robertson and VPD Chief Constable Adam Palmer after his actions led to the arrest of a sexual offender who has a history of preying on children. His story was our seventh most-read story this year.

Read all about it

Caleb Hystad
Caleb Hystad receives his award of merit from 鶹ýӳMayor Gregor Robertson and VPD Chief Constable Adam Palmer. Photo Martha Perkins

8) First look at Parq 鶹ýӳcasino resort

Parq 鶹ýӳopened at the end of Septmeber and it turns out Courier readers were curious about what it looked like. Our story about the opening and the first public images of its interior was our eighth most-popular piece.

Read our story and flip through the photos

The entrance to Parq Vancouver. Photo Christopher Morris
The entrance to Parq Vancouver. Photo Christopher Morris

9) NASA photos from space show smoke from B.C. wildfires

Dramatic photos revealed smoke blanketing southern B.C. and northern Washington State.

Read our ninth most-read story

This photo taken from space by NASA, shows smoke from B.C. wildfires blanketing the province and nor
This photo taken from space by NASA, shows smoke from B.C. wildfires blanketing the province and northern Washington State.

10) Greater 鶹ýӳhome prices to drop by 21 per cent

Rounding out our Top 10 is a story about real estate, of course. Time will tell if the prediction is true.

Read all about it

real estate
Photo Dan Toulgoet