Archives - Jean Chrétien

New Year's Address to the Nation

The clock has just struck midnight in historic St. John's. The Year 2000 has begun for Canada. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador made our Canadian family complete in the 20th century. And tonight they are showing us the way into the 21st century.

And Canada is very well prepared for success in this new century.

Canada is a great success story. Our writers. Our poets. Our artists. Our athletes. Our scientists. Our teachers. Our peacekeepers. The talents of Canadians and the values of Canadians are renowned the world over.

Canada is a prosperous, modern country. A nation of freedom and social justice. A country of two official languages. Of immigrants from around the globe. Of First Nations. Of strong provinces. But, above all, of proud Canadians. A country whose spirit of solidarity has its roots in the shared hardships of its early years.

We are a Northern country. Where winter and cold have helped shape the sense of community that defines us as a people. A diverse people, made up of almost every culture on earth. A great democracy that places respect for differences and the search for compromise at the very heart of its national life.

But we must never forget that we owe our nation to the determination and patience of everyone who has built it. One day at a time. One year at a time. It is thanks to each past generation of Canadians that we can look to our future with such optimism and enthusiasm.

They have handed down to us an inspiring dream and an awesome responsibility. That of living up to their tireless effort, and being worthy, in our time, of this extraordinarily successful nation. A nation that millions of people from around the world would give up everything they have to come and share with us.

We Canadians are one of the most privileged people in the world. And we start off the year 2000 with the means at our disposal to build an even brighter future. There is boundless opportunity in Canada. For ourselves and for generations to come.

So, let's welcome the year 2000 and a future where anything is possible. On behalf of my wife, Aline, and my whole family, I wish everyone a happy year 2000.

Merci beaucoup. Vive le Canada!!