by Sean Orr | Blowing it: Vancouver Steam Clock Voted World’s Worst Tourist Attraction For Record 10th Year. “The Steam Clock became the city’s most popular tourist attraction in the 1980’s when there was, locals admit, ‘literally nothing else to do in Vancouver.'”

Speaking of tourist traps: Christmas partygoers trapped overnight at Grouse Mountain. The occasion was made all the more magical when Justin Trudeau personally helicoptered in 300 blankets.

300 jobs: Holborn releases statement over Trump Tower Vancouver branding controversy. I’m obviously paraphrasing here, but here’s the short version: “bigoted, extremely divisive politics will never stand in the way of us making a shit ton of cash off of a gullible nouveau riche who somehow associate Donald Trump with class…”

I’ll just put this right here: The Bloody Myth of Canada The Good. Not to say that we can’t and shouldn’t attempt to correct the mistakes of our colonialist heritage, but the next time a sycophant exclaims “Canada’s back!” show them this.

The National Post story that nobody read because it was in The National Post: Liberals owe Canadians a referendum before ditching a successful election model after 150 years. No they don’t. And what do you mean by “successful”? Do you mean “successful” as in a nation always yo-yoing between two parties with no room for a third choice? Or do you mean “successful” because it scares people into strategic voting every four years? Or do you mean “successful” because a complete asshat can be PM for 10 years with only 39% of the vote?

Bubble watch: Bill Morneau tightens mortgage rules on homes over $500K. So you mean, every home in Vancouver? Doesn’t this punish first time home-buyers?

Meanwhile, Vancouver city council increases compensation for displaced tenants in certain areas of town. Nice! Remember, however, that these developers and managers don’t even consider renoviction a real word.

Taxi industry losing war to Uber because of customer service, not technology. While the taxi drivers might be better off protesting the regulatory framework that keeps them indentured, punishing an entire industry because they “smell bad” not only smacks of racism but also does a disservice to the working class. And it’s not like Uber is some hip alternative to challenge the establishment. Besides, if you had to deal with 8 million Torontonians a day, you’d probably be pissed too.

Which leads to…Syrian refugees successfully integrate into Canadian culture, already hate Toronto. Ah yes, the dreaded Centre of the Universe.

Alberta of the day: Rachel Notley assassination chatter ‘needs to stop,’ Wildrose leader says as Bill 6 anger mounts. “This is not how Albertans behave.” Except, of course, when that is exactly how they behave.

Runner up: “City of Champions” to be removed from welcome signs. And we laughed and laughed.

Bonus: Unearthing 25 of Vancouver’s local music gems from the past year.