MONTREAL - Here's a look back at some of the top stories of the Montreal area in 2011.
In the spring of 2011 flooding along the Richelieu river saw historic damage to homes and businesses. It cost homeowners and the provincial government millions and yet many repairs remain uncompleted to this day.
An undercover video exposed cruelty to dogs at the Berger Blanc animal shelter. Dog lovers were traumatized and many civic administrators severed ties with the organization.
Jack Layton's NDP unexpectedly thrashed the Bloc Quebecois, winning 59 federal seats in Quebec and forming the Official Opposition. Layton died of cancer five months later.
Montreal road repair workers went on a summertime blitz in 2011, leaving countless roads closed or forced into detours. One of those repairs was associated with the collapse of an overhead grid in the Viger Tunnel, miraculously nobody was hurt.
Anti-corruption Chief Jacques Duchesneau released a damning report of corruption in the province's construction industry, ultimately forcing Premier Jean Charest to hold a public inquiry.
6-Turmoil in the Parti Quebecois
PQ leader Pauline Marois did her best to turn the tide, but many of her MNAs were uninspired by her leadership and quit the party which consistently trailed the CAQ in voter intention surveys.
High-profile anglos were criticized for their accents, PQ MNAs refused to take English questions at the National Assembly and many complained that the Canadiens' new interim coach cannot speak French.
Hundreds of protesters set up tents and moving into Victoria Square before eventually being forced to move on.
The Duke and Duchess visit Montreal. Prince William and Kate Middleton dropped into town amid much frenzy and a tiny bit of protest.
10-Court controversies
The Turcotte, Gatti decisions and the ongoing Shafia trials had the public enraptured throughout.
Please write what you thought was the top Montreal story for 2011 in the comments section below.
