So that #IdleNoMore protest is getting more interesting as internal divisions become evident. Chiefs are talking about making “breach of treaty” declarations and cross-country economic disruptions, while the founders of the movement are distancing themselves from the chiefs, as part of the protest is to get around the established power relationships and keep the movement at the grassroots level. These founders have even distanced themselves from Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, calling her hunger strike as being in support of the movement, but that the movement is about Aboriginal people and not the chiefs. Spence is trying to get said grassroots to unite with the chiefs rather than shame them for past mistakes, and says that the chiefs are ready to “humble themselves.” But the founders point out that the movement is about the people taking the lead, and not the established leadership. (And if you’re still not sure what it’s all about Pamela Palmeter, who ran for the leadership of the AFN last year, breaks it down for you here).

Remember those reports of the new polymer dollar bills melting? The Bank of Canada insists that it’s not actually possible – but won’t release their internal data about it under the exemptions for national security and international relations. Also of note is that the number of complaints of mutilated bills declined sharply with the new polymer banknotes, for what it’s worth.

The government is deciding whether or not to send Canadian troops to train an African force that would be used to reclaim Mali from an al-Qaeda-linked group that has overrun part of that country.

As it is the New Year, there are CPP and EI hikes on the way. Cue the Liberal “payroll tax” talking points.

Jim Flaherty can relax a little, as the “fiscal cliff” has been averted – for now. Flaherty also insists that he’s sticking around until the books are balanced – but then again, that’s never really the call of an individual minister, is it?

Anti-spam legislation passed two years ago but hasn’t yet come into force because the government is still consulting on the regulations that the legislation created the framework for.

And over in the Liberal leadership, Justin Trudeau says that his family keeps him grounded, and that they’ve worked out ground rules that alleviate his concerns about the time he spends with them, which was why he didn’t want to run for leadership initially.