Year in review 2024: Canada’s top 10 search topics from political turmoil to a historic eclipse
From wildfires in Jasper to Olympic glory in Paris and the ripple effects of Gaza’s war, 2024 delivered headlines that won’t be forgotten
Here's a look back on some of the most impactful news events that shaped 2024, both at home and abroad.
This year brought unforgettable headlines, from a devastating wildfire in Jasper to Canada’s triumphs at the Paris Olympics and the far-reaching impacts of Israel’s war on Gaza felt across the globe.
These are the top 10 news stories Canadians searched for on Yahoo Canada during a year that won’t soon be forgotten.
Ukraine war
This year, Russia’s war on Ukraine ramped up, with advanced glide bombs giving Russian forces an edge and putting Ukrainian troops under immense strain.
Cities were devastated, civilian infrastructure was targeted and reports of war crimes only deepened Russia’s global isolation.
On the flip side, Ukraine fought back with long-range U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles, hitting critical Russian positions. But after so much time at war, morale among Ukrainian troops is beginning to dip, especially with growing fears that Western support might waver.
The war’s global impact is clear — higher energy costs, disrupted supply chains and growing tensions between nations.
Adding to the uncertainty, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump hinted at cutting aid to Ukraine, leaving the future uncertain. As the year ends, a diplomatic solution seems far off.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump was front and center in 2024, making waves in U.S. politics and beyond.
His presidential campaign took off, fueled by promises to tackle inflation, tighten immigration, and rethink America’s role in global conflicts. By November, Trump made history by winning back the presidency, becoming the first U.S. leader since Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms.
His win highlights the deep political divides in the country, with many rallying around his calls for stronger borders, energy independence and cutting foreign aid.
On the world stage, Trump’s bold statements and plans are raising eyebrows.
His talk of reducing aid to Ukraine and reshaping U.S. alliances are leaving international leaders on edge, while his "America First" stance signals big changes ahead.
As Trump gears up for another term, both his supporters and critics are watching closely to see how his policies will shake up the economy, the environment and global politics.
North American solar eclipse
Canadians were able to experience a total solar eclipse as the Moon passed between the Sun and Earth, bringing darkness to various parts across the country for several minutes on April 8, 2024.
Canadians in the path of totality donned their protective glasses and stared in awe as the sun disappeared, plunging the afternoon into eerie darkness.
For some, the rare celestial event lived up to expectations. Others were left disappointed, due mainly to cloudy overcasts throughout parts of the country, which obstructed their views of seeing what's been categorized as a "once in a lifetime" event.
Jasper wildfires
Hot, dry conditions in western Canada led to hundreds of fires in July. On the evening of July 22, Alberta authorities issued an emergency alert for Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper, warning of a wildfire threatening the area to the south.
Around 5,000 residents and 20,000 visitors were safely evacuated as a wildfire approached the western edge of town, ultimately destroying 350 homes and businesses, including 820 housing units. The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates the damage at a staggering $880 million.
Despite the significant toll, the community showed its strength as residents and emergency crews worked around the clock to control the fire and start rebuilding.
The Jasper wildfire serves as a harsh wake-up call about the escalating threat of wildfires, fueled by extreme weather patterns. As the town begins the long road to recovery, there's an urgent push for stronger climate action and more effective strategies to prevent future fires from wreaking havoc.
Canada at Paris Olympics
Canada’s athletes shone brightly at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, delivering an impressive total of 27 medals — 9 gold, 7 silver, and 11 bronze.
This stellar performance propelled Canada to 12th place in the overall medal standings, marking its second-best finish at a Summer Games, just behind the 44 medals won at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
From Vincent's record-setting win to Summer McIntosh's triumphs in the pool, to a shocking relay gold, to Canada establishing itself as a hammer-throw nation and more, Canadians had plenty to celebrate as the Paris Games unfolded.
Chat GPT
In 2024, ChatGPT and its AI counterparts took huge leaps forward, revolutionizing how we interact with technology.
With smarter capabilities and a deeper integration into everyday life, these models are quickly becoming indispensable tools across industries, transforming everything from how we work to how we create, learn and connect.
Kate Middleton
After months of speculation about her whereabouts, Princess Kate broke her silence in March with a heartfelt video, revealing she had been diagnosed with cancer.
Kate returned to the public eye in June, attending the Trooping the Colour parade.
In September, she revealed that she had completed her course of preventive chemotherapy, but acknowledged that her journey to full recovery would be a lengthy one, and she would be taking it one day at a time.
Hurricane Milton
In 2024, Hurricane Milton captured global attention, becoming one of the most unforgettable storms of the year.
Hurricane Milton unleashed devastation across Florida, triggering a deadly tornado outbreak and catastrophic flooding that left communities reeling.
By October 21, 2024, the storm had claimed at least 35 lives — 32 in the United States and three in Mexico, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes of the year. Early damage assessments estimate the destruction at a staggering $85 billion.
Israel-Gaza war
Conflict escalated in the Middle East in 2024, resulting in thousands of casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza and other areas.
Much of Gaza has been laid to waste in the conflict, with some two-thirds of its buildings damaged or destroyed. Most of the strip's 2.3 million people have been made homeless, sheltering in places like the Jabalia refugee camp. Those camps themselves came under fire as Israel said it was going after militants using the places as shields, an accusation Hamas denies.
Read more: 2024 in photos: war in the Middle East
Many of Gaza's inhabitants, including its children, faced supply shortages and hunger.
Justin Trudeau
Over 2024, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau navigated a turbulent political landscape, grappling with plummeting approval ratings, mounting economic pressures and a widening rift within his own party.
By December, Trudeau's approval rating plummeted to a mere 28%, tying his all-time low and reflecting a challenging year for the Prime Minister's leadership.
As 2024 drew to a close, Trudeau found himself under intense scrutiny, with growing pressure from his own party and opposition leaders to rethink his political future. Calls for his resignation grew louder, and the increasing chances of early elections looms on the horizon.
