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Political naughty and nice lists for 2013

As we approach Christmas, political pundits and analysts always like to look back and reflect upon the year that was.

One of Political Points' traditions is the annual list of Canadian politicians who have nice and who have been naughty.

So here it is: The...ahem...world famous 2013 Political Points naughty and nice list.

The Naughty List:

While the North Pole won't disclose their official naughty lists, I think it's a safe bet that the following politicians won't be getting a visit from old Saint Nick on the 25th.

- Atop of the list — for the second year in a row — is Toronto mayor Rob Ford for admitting to smoking crack cocaine (while in a drunken stupor), for purchasing illegal drugs at some point in the last two years, and for outrageous comments during press conferences and interviews. That's enough 'naughty' for a life-time membership on the naughty list.

- Canada's senators. It might be unfair to lump all of them together but they all deserve a lump of coal, for collectively bringing disrepute to the upper chamber, for claiming inappropriate expenses, for fumbling and mumbling their way to suspending Senators Duffy, Brazeau and Wallin, for taking lavish taxpayer-funded trips and for being secretive and undemocratic.

[ Related: Senate Speaker Noël Kinsella yet another high-expense traveller: report ]

- Quebec Premier Pauline Marois for continuously raising the issue of sovereignty — when it appears that it's not a priority for anyone else — and for introducing the so-called Values Charter which would essentially ban individuals from certain cultures and religions from working in that province's public sector.

- The staffers in the Prime Minister's Office for their alleged involvement in the Senate expense scandal and cover-up, for trying to control elected officials and backbenchers, for exercising high levels of control at Stephen Harper's press conferences and for politicizing the office by taking part in attacks against the opposition.

The Nice List:

- NDP leader Thomas Mulcair for being the most prominent and effective opposition voice against the Conservatives on so many issues this year but in particular during the Senate expense scandal

- Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi for his handling of the summer flood: he showed strong leadership by being front and centre, accountable and cool under fire. And, after a year of 'bad news' stories about Canada's mayors (see Rob Ford and Quebec corruption), Nenshi was a shining light.

[ More Politics: Five interesting quotes from Stephen Harper’s year-end interviews ]

B.C. Premier Christy Clark for one of the most epic comebacks in Canadian political history. Early in the year, she was gaffe prone and written off by the pollsters, media and public alike. She turned things around, won the provincial election, in May, in convincing fashion and now considered one of the most important people in the country as the premier of the 'gateway' province to the Asia Pacific.

- Jim Flaherty for working through illness, having another solid year as minister of finance and for announcing that his government is poised to generate $3.7-billion surplus in 2015.

"We're on track to get back to balance in 2015, without raising taxes or cutting investments in health care and social service transfers, as promised," Flaherty said in a statement last month.

Now that deserves a lot of presents.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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