Morning Update: The year’s most essential culture

Good morning. The Globe’s critics combed through a chaotic year in the arts to pick their standout favourites — more on that below, along with the Bank of Canada’s interest rate hold and our North Pole bureau’s request for letters to Santa. But first:

• Zelensky is “ready” to hold a wartime election if the U.S. provides security guarantees
• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing a petition to lose her seat
• Advocates laud Ottawa’s push on violence against women after years of calls for action