Canada's credibility on the world stage, health care, and climate change topped the list of most overlooked political stories of 2012, according to Canada's federal finance minister and opposition party leaders.

In separate interviews airing Saturday on CBC Radio's The House, host Evan Solomon asked Jim Flaherty, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May what they thought was the most underreported story of 2012.

Here are their answers (edited for length):

1. Jim Flaherty, federal finance minister

"Canadians should know that Canada does punch above its weight internationally, we really do.

And when we put pressure on Europe, as we've done to start to deal in a substantive way with their issues ... we have a lot of influence with them, we have a lot of credibility with them.

And the same thing with the United States, with both the Democrats and Republicans, which is a good thing. And they do look at Canada as a country that sort of got its act together on fiscal matters. This is not common in the world today.

So Canada's credibility is strong."

2. Tom Mulcair, leader of the Official Opposition

"Almost a year ago today, Mr. Flaherty was at a meeting with his provincial counterparts, all the provincial finance ministers.

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Health care tops most overlooked stories of 2012