Maclean’s top #longreads of 2015

A heartbreaking case of Alzheimer’s. A town that gave a dying boy an early Christmas. Stories of Indigenous survival. The making of a Prime Minister. Here’s a look back on the year that was, with our favourite longreads that we told in 2015.

The boy who moved Christmas

Evan Leversage had terminal cancer, and doctors didn’t think he would survive past Christmas. So the town of St. George, Ont. moved Christmas up for him.

Slipping Away

Teacher, husband—Alzheimer’s patient. At only 38 years old, this is Jo Aubin’s heartbreaking fight against time.

His brother’s keeper They met on opposite sides of war in Iran. This is the story of their unlikely reunion—20 years later, and a world away.

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The heroes of October 22

Six strangers ran to help Cpl. Nathan Cirillo in his moment of need. His death made them comrades. What came after made them friends.

What it feels like to be Canadian

To celebrate Canada’s 148th birthday, Maclean’s produced 148 videos of the country’s most incredible people, places and experiences.

The miracle twins

Sisters desperate for liver transplants. A dad who could donate only one. Inside the Wagner family’s incredible journey.

It could have been me

Thirteen indigenous women. 13 survivors of horrific violence. Four different generations. This is Canada’s problem. And these are their stories of survival.

The making of a prime minister

How Trudeau’s campaign of hard work and hope landed him a whopping victory.

Maclean’s newsmakers of 2015

The year’s most fascinating figures, events and things—all in one compulsively readable online package.

The Duffy diaries: four years, 232 pages, and plenty of juice

Jonathon Gatehouse goes inside the private journals of the most entitled, hardest-working, Swiss Chalet-lovingest man in Ottawa.

Longer may she reign: The Queen’s record-breaking rule

On Sept. 9, Queen Elizabeth II passed Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest-serving monarch. Here’s how she has become one of the most influential and widely admired leaders ever.

Like father, like son. Only not always.

On the campaign, Justin Trudeau invoked his father constantly. But, as John Geddes explains, the younger Trudeau almost nothing like Pierre.

The incredible true story behind the Toronto mystery tunnel

Nicholas Köhler chronicles the feat of subterranean engineering, at the hands of young Elton McDonald, that captivated the world.

Meet the man who helped make his friend Canada’s next PM

He’s seen as the protective knight to the prince. How Gerald Butts helped mastermind Justin Trudeau’s victory.