1) Vancouver family 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 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 HERE.
2) What happens when people can't afford to live in Vancouver?
There's likely no subject that earns more ink in Vancouver than 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 HERE.
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 HERE.
4) After 70 years in business, 3 Vets closes its doors
The closure of a longtime Vancouver business 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 HERE.
5) Vancouver housing market ain’t seen nothing yet
This article, published last June, suggested Vancouver's housing market hadn't reached its peak.
Find out why HERE
6) Vancouver adopts living wage of $20.62
Taking sixth place is a news story about the City of Vancouver adopting 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 HERE.
7) Vancouver man's gut instinct earns him police honour
Who doesn't love a hero? Caleb Hystad earned an award of merit from Vancouver Mayor 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.
8) First look at Parq Vancouver casino resort
Parq Vancouver opened 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 HERE.
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 HERE.
10) Greater Vancouver home 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 HERE.
