Continuing a historic tradition of corporately sponsored holiday cheer, the 35-foot "Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree" was formally unveiled last night at the Eaton Centre. The star-studded event––a Children’s Wish Foundation fundraiser hosted by Justin Trudeau (yes, the Justin Trudeau)––drew a sizeable crowd of shoppers. Very few members of the audience seemed to actually know what they were lining up to see, though, as the tree was hidden by an enormous curtain for the better part......

Admiral Radler claims the Dark Lord knew about every move the Empire made. "You have failed me for the last time, Admiral," replied the ruthless Baron Black. Cost of the Defence to date: upwards of $860,000. Speaking of extortion, if you haven't been shocked by exorbitant rickshaw ride prices so far, be warned that a judge has eliminated the current cap, enabling the pedicab operators to charge unsuspecting tourists whatever they wish. Moustache rides......

Say you work in government, and a famous environmentalist attacks the environmental plan you've put together, calling it a sham. Do you defend it on the merits? Well, if you're Environment Minister John Baird, no—instead you attack Al Gore with a "you weren't any better" retort. Because Al Gore was Vice President, seven years ago, of a different country! Also, he has a big house and is now kind of fat! It's official: Justin Trudeau......

One of Canada's last World War One veterans dies at age 107. This leaves only two remaining Great War veterans, the last of whom to pass on is eligible for a state funeral, but neither are interested. Torontoist applauds their humility, because come on—we would totally be about a state funeral. With Gord Downie singing soulful hymns in the background! And Wayne Gretzky would give a tearful speech about what we meant to hockey!......

Who's going to come out on top of the strangest Giller Prize shortlist in years? While the smart money is on Rawi Hage's DeNiro's Game, which is also nominated for the Governor General's Award, writers from the Globe raised a convincing argument for Gaetan Soucy's the Immaculate Conception. Sadly we won't get to see Canada's literati ogle Justin Trudeau but that doesn't mean that you can't celebrate Canada's biggest literary prize, go to a great......