Maclean’s top #longreads of 2015

Duffy’s diaries. A long-reigning queen. Miracle twins. A look back at Maclean’s long reads.

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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, who is terminally ill with brain cancer, poses for a picture with his mother Nicole Wellwood in St. George, Ontario, Canada, October 24, 2015. Evan Leversage, is a seven-year-old boy who has been living with inoperable brain cancer since he was two years old. His family has organized a Christmas celebration in early October complete with a full parade, in case Evan does not live to celebrate his last Christmas day on the traditional date of December 25, according to local media. (Mark Blinch/Reuters)
Evan Leversage, who was terminally ill with brain cancer, poses for a picture with his mother Nicole Wellwood in St. George, Ontario, Canada, October 24, 2015. (Mark Blinch/Reuters)

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

Jo Aubin

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


His brother’s keeper


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


The heroes of October 22

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander on Parliament Hill in Ottawa November 27, 2014.  (Blair Gable/The Toronto Star)
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander on Parliament Hill in Ottawa November 27, 2014.
(Blair Gable/The Toronto Star)

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

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


The miracle twins

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


It could have been me

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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

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau waves to the crowd after his speech at Liberal election headquarters in Montreal, Que. on Monday, October 20, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau waves to the crowd after his speech at Liberal election headquarters in Montreal, Que. on Monday, October 20, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

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


Maclean’s newsmakers of 2015

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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

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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

HM The Queen on horseback looking towards Balmoral Castle, Scotland in the distance during the Royal Family's annual summer holiday in September 1971.  Part of a series of photographs taken for use during the Silver Wedding Celebrations in 1972. Lichfield/Getty Images.
Queen Elizabeth II on horseback looking towards Balmoral Castle, Scotland in the distance during the Royal Family’s annual summer holiday in September 1971. Lichfield/Getty Images.

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.

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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

March 13, 2015.  Toronto, ON.  Elton McDonald. Photograph by Della Rollins

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

Justin Trudeau on the road during 2015 Federal election campaign. Adam Scotti/Liberal Party of Canada
Justin Trudeau and Gerald Butts. Adam Scotti/Liberal Party of Canada

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