Year in review: 5 stories that moved Canadians in 2016

A raging wildfire that nearly devoured an Alberta town, a growing opioid crisis that’s killed hundreds and the heartbreaking plight of refugees fleeing the horrific civil war in Syria were among the biggest Canadian news stories this year.

The Fort McMurray wildfire forced nearly 90,000 people to flee Canada’s oilsands region while destroying thousands of homes captivated audiences around the world and prompted an outpouring of support from across the country was named the top news story of 2016 by The Canadian Press.

READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire named Canada’s news story of 2016

And while the U.S. election and Donald Trump grabbed the most headlines, stories involving First Nations, overdose deaths linked to the powerful opioid fentanyl and a suspected terrorist sympathizer killed by police in Ontario resonated with Canadian audiences.

As 2016 comes to a close here is a look back at five of Canada’s biggest news stories of the year:

Fort McMurray nearly burns to the ground

2:32 Fort McMurray wildfire rebuild could take years

WATCH ABOVE: Fort McMurray wildfire rebuild could take years

The ferocious wildfire, dubbed “the beast,” began May 1 on the outskirts of Fort McMurray, Alta., before the flames began to spread into the city.

Terrifying video taken by residents fleeing their neigbourhoods showed walls of flame and ash raining down on Highway 63 – the main route out of town.

2:20 Alberta man shares his story of escape from Fort McMurray wildfire

• Alberta man shares his story of escape from Fort McMurray wildfire
• Powerful video captures resident’s escape from Fort McMurray wildfire
• How Fort McMurray wildfire quickly exploded Tuesday
• Fort McMurray wildfire: Albertans offering food, shelter to residents fleeing fire
• Dramatic video of Fort McMurray wildfire shared on social media as evacuations continue
• Massive Fort McMurray wildfire forces thousands to evacuate
• ‘We are here, we are strong: regional fire chief gives emotional update on Fort McMurray wildfire
• Fort McMurray wildfire: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley discusses state of emergency
• Fort McMurray wildfire triggers provincial state of emergency
• Fort McMurray wildfire: How did the fire grow so fast
• Fort McMurray Wildfire: Brian Jean house destroyed in fire
• Intense video shows Beacon Hill resident fleeing as Fort McMurray wildfire rages – Part 3
• Fort McMurray Wildfire: Inside Fort McMurray devastation
• Intense video shows Beacon Hill resident fleeing as Fort McMurray wildfire rages – Part 1
• Fort McMurray wildfire: a look at the devastation inside the community Thursday morning
• Fort McMurray wildfire: A timeline of a disaster
• Fort McMurray wildfire: Evacuees left in state of fear, uncertainty
• Fort McMurray wildfire: battle against flames far from over
• Fort McMurray Wildfire: Insurance likely to outpace Calgary floods, Slave Lake fires
• Incredible footage takes us inside the fight against the Fort McMurray wildfire

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Miraculously no one died as a direct result of the fire, but some 2,400 homes and buildings were destroyed. The Insurance Bureau of Canada called the wildfire the costliest insured natural disaster in Canadian history with an estimated $3.77 billion in damage claims.

READ MORE: Mental health response to Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees to be assessed by province

The fire also gave rise to acts of heroism as firefighters and first responders worked around the clock during the blaze. Fire Chief Darby Allen, who became the public face in the battle against the beast, announced he would retire in February.

“I hope we can find a place to have a little bit of a celebration and remember all the good things that were done,” Allen told The Canadian Press.

Opioid crisis devastates communities across the country

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The scourge of powerful opioids continued to take the lives of Canadians in 2016, reaching epidemic proportions in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

The B.C. Coroners Service says overdose deaths from illicit drugs reached 755 by the end of November, a more than 70 per cent jump over the number of fatalities recorded during the same time period last year.

The deadly opioid fentanyl — believed to be 100 times more toxic than morphine — was detected in 374 of the cases, or about 60 per cent of the deaths. Earlier this year, health officials in the province declared a public health emergency over the rise in overdoses.

READ MORE: Fentanyl overdoses killed hundreds of Canadians this year, experts say 2017 could be deadlier

Meanwhile, 338 Albertans died from opioid-related overdoses between January and Oct. 27 this year, with fentanyl linked to 193 of those deaths.

2:38 B.C. fentanyl overdoses top 700 for the year, expected to go higher

• B.C. fentanyl overdoses top 700 for the year, expected to go higher
• Presser: Officials update number of deaths related to B.C.’s fentanyl crisis
• Police warn of rising deadly collisions involving fentanyl
• Video shows Mountie take drastic steps reacting to fentanyl overdose
• Shocking video of RCMP officer taking drastic steps to react to fentanyl overdose
• Firefighters plea for help amid fentanyl crisis
• Recovering fentanyl addict relates to Calgary parents who died from suspected drug overdose
• Huge fentanyl bust on Vancouver Island
• Vancouver Island police make major fentanyl bust
• ‘Full across the board diplomatic effort’: Ralph Goodale comments on work to curb fentanyl

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Health officials and first responders have also sounded the alarm over the emergence of the deadly drug carfentanil which has been linked to deaths in B.C. and Alberta and has been detected in street drugs in Ontario.

“2016 is like no other year in Canadian drug history and there’s no turning back,” said Michael Parkinson, a drug strategy specialist with the Waterloo Regional Crime Prevention Council in Ontario.  “It’s probably never been a more dangerous time in Canadian history to be using illicit substances.”

The federal government announced earlier this month it will ease regulations around supervised injection sites while also cracking down on illegal fentanyl shipments to combat the crisis.

Syrian refugees welcomed across Canada

1:47 Syrian refugees in Saskatoon fear for family still living in Aleppo

• Syrian refugees in Saskatoon fear for family still living in Aleppo
• More Syrian refugees set to arrive in Calgary
• Syrian refugees still looking for work in Canada
• Syrian refugees mark one-year anniversary in Montreal
• Unemployment rates for Syrian refugees commensurate with other refugee populations: irani
• Syrian refugees: one year later
• Stephane Dion renews Canadian efforts in helping Syrian refugees stranded in Lebanon
• Syrian refugees give back to Vancouver neighbourhood
• What can Canadians do to help Syrian refugees?
• Canada to help Argentina resettle 3,000 Syrian refugees
• Obama hopes for continual support for refugees in Syria beyond his administration
• Photo exhibit for Syrian refugees
• Edmonton businesses band together to help Syrian refugees
• Syrian refugees thankful to be in Calgary this Thanksgiving
• Syrian refugees welcomed to Thanksgiving dinner table
• Syrian refugees reflect on the disaster and heartbreak

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From Vancouver to Calgary to Winnipeg and Halifax, families and those fleeing the bloody war in Syria arrived in communities across the country.

Some 35,000 Syrian refugees have made Canada their home with stories of children attending their first day of classes and some adults heading out to work.

“I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that Canada’s engagement must not stop at resettlement,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a UN conference in September. “Now is the time for each of us to consider what more we can contribute. So, in Canada, we’re looking at our options.”

READ MORE: Half of adult Syrian refugees unemployed 1 year later

However, it hasn’t been an easy path for many new arrivals.

A months-long study from the Senate released earlier this month found only half of adult Syrian refugees – roughly 9,000 — have found work, with  language training proving to be a major hurdle. And federal funding for many refugees runs out after a year, leaving those still requiring assistance to turn to provincial governments.

READ MORE: Childcare, language training lacking, but ‘key’ to Syrian integration: Senate report

The Liberal government has dedicated $900 million to language training for all newcomers, with $30 million set aside specifically for the influx of Syrian refugees. In November, Ottawa added another $18 million and 7,000 seats for language training in an effort to help the Syrians in Canada get a leg up.

Aaron Driver killed in Ontario

2:57 Taxi driver who picked up Aaron Driver talks about ordeal

• Taxi driver who picked up Aaron Driver talks about ordeal
• Aaron Driver’s cab driver says takedown by police put him at risk
• Ralph Goodale praises work of RCMP, other police in preventing Aaron Driver from carrying out attack
• Trudeau comments on Aaron Driver case
• Muslim leaders in Ontario take stand against Aaron Driver’s actions
• RCMP deny any one ‘dropped the ball’ in Aaron Driver terror plot
• Aaron Driver’s former Lawyer reacts to his threats against Canada
• Should RCMP have known more about Aaron Driver?
• Former lawyer for Aaron Driver ‘shocked’ by client’s radicalization
• Terrorism suspect Aaron Driver had London, ON mall as destination
• Who is Canadian terror suspect Aaron Driver?
• Mosque Aaron Driver attended tried to steer him to a better path
• RCMP release details aboutAaron Driver’s foiled terror plot
• FBI alerts RCMP to stop Canadian terror suspect Aaron Driver
• The takedown of Aaron Driver, how the RCMP stopped his planned attack
• ‘There was that fear, what if he went down the dark side?’: Aaron Driver’s father

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The small town of Strathroy in southwestern Ontario was left shaken after a 24-year-old ISIS sympathizer was killed during a confrontation with police in August.

Aaron Driver died in an encounter with RCMP on Aug. 10 after making a martyrdom video that suggested he was planning to detonate a homemade bomb in a Canadian urban centre during morning or afternoon rush hour.

READ MORE: Aaron Driver’s father remembers son’s grief-stricken childhood, says ‘worst fears’ came true

Police said Driver had come out his sister’s home in the town, 35 kilometres west of London, with a backpack and got into the rear seat of a waiting taxi. RCMP officers blocked the vehicle from leaving the area and began to move in. Driver  then detonated an improvised explosive device and was shot by police.

Canadian authorities were tipped off about Driver’s activities by the FBI and confronted him hours later. A video of a masked Driver railing against western “enemies of Islam” and warning that the only solution would be the “spilling of your blood.”

READ MORE: Taxi driver in car with terror suspect slams police in Strathroy, Ont. takedown

The case raised questions about the use of so-called peace bonds as Driver had been under a court order not to associate with terrorist organizations, use a computer or cellphone. However, it was not enough to stop him from making bombs and planning a terror attack.

First Nations stories make headlines

0:29 All First Nations on pace to have clean drinking by 2021: Trudeau

• All First Nations on pace to have clean drinking by 2021: Trudeau
• Call for Quebec inquiry into First Nations racism
• Call for Quebec inquiry into First Nations racism
• Racism against First Nations by Quebec police
• Racism against First Nations by Quebec police
• First Nations artist calls for British Columbia to no longer be British Columbia
• ‘One day, Charlie!’: Question about First Nations children leads to heated exchange in House of Commons
• First Nations community creates court for and by indigenous people
• Attawapiskat Chief wants Justin Trudeau to visit personally
• Chief of Attawapiskat says 5 more suicide attempts made
• MPs discuss mental health crisis in Attawapiskat, across Canada
• Emergency debate over Attawapiskat crisis
• Concerns about suicide pact in Attawapiskat
• Suicide attempts prompt state of emergency in Attawapiskat
• Mental health team lands in Attawapiskat after suicide attempts

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While 2016 began amid promises from the Trudeau government of a renewed “nation-to-nation relationship,” a decision to approve two pipelines and the lack of improvement of living conditions on some reserves has strained relations between Ottawa and indigenous leaders.

First Nations communities also experienced unimaginable tragedy this year as several young people took their own lives in Saskatchewan and dozens attempted suicide in Attawapiskat in Ontario. In August, Trudeau announced the federal government will provide $69 million over the next three years for indigenous mental health services.

Tragically Hip front man Gord Downie, whose spirited fight against terminal brain cancer captured Canadian audiences, spoke out on issues affecting indigenous communities during The Hip’s “Man Machine Poem” tour this summer. Downie also revealed his solo multimedia project Secret Path that recounts the life of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack, who died in 1966 after running away from a residential school.

READ MORE: Candle light vigil held in La Ronge after sixth youth suicide in northern Sask.

A long-awaited inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women was also announced earlier this year. The inquiry has five commissioners who in the new year will hear testimony from families of missing and murdered indigenous women and others in order to examine the systemic causes of violence against indigenous women and girls in Canada, and make recommendations about how to prevent violence.

— With files from Adam Miller, Amy Minsky and The Canadian Press