If 2011 was anything, it was LOUD.

The ‘Arab spring’ – Middle East protests in Libya, Egypt, Iran, Bahrain, Yemen and Algeria that brought, or threatened to bring, governmental change – kick-started a year in which loud, angry voices stole the spotlight. Morphing out of the Middle East mess were the Occupy protests, a series of worldwide city sit-ins (including in Toronto) in which the protesters’ message seemed as muddied as the ruined park grounds they left behind.

On April 7, Mother Nature added her voice to the mix, shaking Japan with one of the most powerful earthquakes on record that claimed more than 15,000 lives and set off hydrogen explosions that led to meltdowns at three nuclear power plants.

Here in Ontario, with not one, but two elections to concern voters this year, there was plenty of name-calling, shouting and finger-pointing by the various political parties.

Federally, Stephen Harper secured his much sought-after majority government for his Conservative playmates as the Liberals, under Michael Ignatieff, imploded spectacularly. The NDP, in stunning fashion, grabbed the role of the official Opposition, by garnering dozens of seats in Quebec even though some of their candidates appeared, on paper, to lack the credentials to run a lemonade stand, let alone run for Parliament.

The NDP’s strong showing was largely based on the charisma of leader Jack Layton who, sadly,  was unable to savour his victory as he succumbed to cancer weeks later, bringing a brief moment of shocked and somber silence to the year.

With the stock markets on a wild roller-coaster ride for much of 2011, the howls from investors and traders alike were deafening.

While we will be spared an election this year, our southern neighbours will head to the polls in November so lots of noise – and hot air – has been drifting over the border via the airwaves.

Locally, residents raised their voices in opposition to the proposed mid-Peninsula highway that could cut through Flamborough, and while the noise level in the north Flamborough quarry fight may have been turned down a notch, residents and FORCE are keeping a close eye as the issue moves into the realm of legal proceedings and challenges.

Kudos to all for working for what they believe is best for the community.

And while all the noise and light of world and local events made for great news in the form of miles of newsprint and gallons of ink, we can only hope that 2012 will be a little quieter.