MONTREAL – From a homecoming tribute to a Montreal native-turned-baseball star to a local boy being elected Prime Minister, there was no shortage of interesting news and events around Montreal this year.
We asked our reporters, directors, producers and video journalists to share what news stories they felt had the most impact this past year.
Here’s a look at their news story picks from 2015:
Senior Anchor Jamie Orchard: Controversial parking ticket given to Luc Horne’s son waived by City of Montreal
“I have a few favourites that follow a theme – stories where people with no voice came to Global News to tell their story and ended up getting some satisfaction or some closure in the end.”
“I think my favourite example of the power of listening to the powerless in 2015 was the story of Luc Horne, who was issued a parking ticket in the name of his dead son, Jeremy. It was a plea for help, but nobody wanted to listen.”
“The mayor of Montreal was drawn into the debate and insisted a mayor cannot intervene in a court process, but we stuck with the story and two weeks later, the parking ticket was waived.”
“Our coverage may have ruffled a few feathers, but I think we had a good read on the story from the beginning, which was to listen to people, show compassion, and be kind in the face of a bureaucratic system that has sometimes lost its soul.”
Morning Show Anchor Camille Ross: Canada’s 2015 federal election
“One of my favourite stories of the year was the 2015 federal election. Quebec is back in Parliament with a Prime Minister from our city.”
“It was touching to see Justin Trudeau ensure that native leaders were invited to the swearing-in ceremony and young Inuit throat singers sharing a traditional performance.”
“The cabinet is made up of men, women, minorities and people with disabilities.”
Managing Editor Lisa Fiset: A year after devastating diagnosis, Laval’s Matthew Schreindorfer free of cancer
“It really showed the power of social media and how it could change someone’s life – plus Matthew and Katia are such a cute couple.”
Assistant News Director/Senior Producer Kate Shingler: Pointe-Claire sailors recreate a piece of West Island history
“It’s too hard to pick one favourite story for the year, but the Pointe-Claire sailors who restored a boat was definitely one of the most memorable for me.”
“The unique subject matter really lent itself to visual storytelling, and worked really well for television. I like stories that help frame a particular time and place, and this old wooden boat was evocative of another time and era.”
Morning Show Weather Specialist Jessica Laventure: A Halloween scare
“It was something I had wanted to try for a while. I got in that morning with my green suit and said, ‘let’s do this!’ Editor and Director Matt Consalvo gave me tips on where to stand and how to place my body for the best effect – there were actual rehearsals involved.”
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do because I had to jump and squat at the same time as giving the weather, and I had to sound like I wasn’t out of breath. I was so tired at the end, but it was worth it.”
Web Producer Rachel Lau: Laval police thank young man for rescuing kidnapped woman
“It was such a simple story – Laval police taking to Facebook to say ‘thank you’ to 17-year-old Malyk Bonnet for helping a woman who had allegedly been kidnapped by her ex – but it was incredibly heart warming.”
“We often cover police stories that don’t have a happy ending, so it was a great change to be able to cover something with a positive twist – and our online community loved the story.”
Control room director Julie Turcotte: Vaudreuil mother of terminally ill baby pushes for better healthcare
“The story was so compelling, albeit sad. Global reporter Gloria Henriquez did a great job of conveying a mother’s plea for better off-island care while capturing the emotional journey the family was on.”
“It was amazing to witness the mother’s strength despite being faced with the imminent death of her child.”
Reporter Tim Sargeant: NDG native Russell Martin gets rousing reception at Big O
“First of all, it’s baseball. There was so much hype about Russell Martin being born and raised in Montreal and coming back to play at the Big O with the Toronto Blue Jays. This is a local boy coming home to play in the big leagues.”
“I remember being on the field as batting practice was taking place. I felt like I was 10-years-old again surrounded by superstars. I had memories of the Montreal Expos running through my head.”
Reporter Anne Leclair: Montreal accident survivor Sarah Stott looks to the future
“Sarah showed such resilience after experiencing a traumatic event. She was so candid when she spoke with us from her hospital bed at the Montreal General.”
“It was also amazing to see a community – in particular the Irish Embassy, where she worked – come together to raise money to help Sarah.”
Reporter Kelly Greig: P.K. Subban donates $10M over 7 years to Montreal Children’s Hospital
“This was a story that brought my two passions of sports and news together.”
“The story came as a surprise as it only broke a few hours before the press conference. I always enjoy covering the Montreal Canadiens and it was exceptional to see a superstar like P.K. Subban donate his time and money to the super hospital.”
Video journalist Karol Dahl: Fire seriously damages beloved Montreal Greek Orthodox church
“It’s the emotions that people felt. It was a very sensitive story. There was a lot of emotion within the story.”
Reporter Gloria Henriquez: The Côte Saint-Luc seniors community garden turns 40 years-old
“It’s a place where residents not only harvest vegetables but also a sense of community. It’s an oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle, a place that managed to survive its share of difficulties and blossom, nearly closing 15 years ago.”
“The seniors cultivate unique vegetables that speak of their nationalities and background. The cherry on top? A portion of the fruits and vegetables go to serve the MADA community centre. True community spirit!”
Reporter Felicia Parrillo: Montreal organizations ready to welcome Syrian refugees with open arms
“One story that really dominated the news this year was the Syrian refugees crisis. In my short time at Global, I’ve gotten the opportunity to cover it more than a few times.”
“The most touching stories were when I got the chance to meet or speak to Syrian refugees.”
Reporter Howard Cohen: Trudeau, Joly and Schiefke engage citizens after election victory
“This is a story about citizen engagement in politics. It looks at some of the players who will be shaping Canadian policy in the upcoming four years and is the culmination of one of the longest election campaigns in Canadian history.”
“The story is about selfies, coffee pouring and handshakes. Most importantly, it reminds us that Montreal is often at the centre of Canadian politics.”
rachel.lau@globalnews.ca
Follow @rachel_lau