Justin Trudeau says that positivity is driving his party’s increased donations, which could very well exceed the Conservatives yet again in terms of number of donors, though it remains to be seen if they will top them in dollars. Among Trudeau’s examples of “positivity” are things like not piling on James Moore’s “hungry kids” gaffe, in part because it was Christmas. For what it’s worth, anyway.

Government spending on professional services – outside consultants for the most part – was down last year, yet employment in the sector remains high.

CBC has a look at the year in promises of transparency around parliamentarians’ expenses, and the baby steps being made to accomplish it.

The new rules around temporary foreign workers come into force on December 31^st, which means that a crackdown on the programme is expected to take place shortly thereafter. New measures include surprise inspections, and more abilities to ensure non-compliant employers rectify their situations rather than waiting for them to apply for another permit first.

Here’s a look at the government’s move to more heavily regulate the telecom industry.

Here is John Geddes’ recap of the year in federal political stories.

PostMedia profiles some of the nominees for Samara Canada’s Everyday Political Citizen project.

With NAFTA turning 20, there are arguments that Mexico emerged as the big winner from the trade pact.

Conservative MP Brian Jean took to the Twitter Machine to congratulate Rob Ford on looking alert and like he’s lost weight during an interview. You know, the bare minimum of what is required of a political leader.

Michael Den Tandt looks back at his last year’s predictions, and gives up on predicting a Harper charm offensive, as such a thing will never happen.

And iPolitics has a story about Hill fashions that seems to overlook the actual good dressers in favour of a bunch of mediocre ones. But this is what happens when you don’t actually bother to show up to Question Period and pay attention.