December 22, 2005

It is my pleasure to send Canadians best wishes for the holiday season.

This is a special time of year, when people of all faiths gather with family and friends to reflect on everything we have to be thankful for, all that we have accomplished and everything we have to look forward to in the year ahead.

We think with pride of Canada’s role on the world stage, leading the global dialogue on climate change, at the historic Montreal conference; and assisting those in need, with generous aid and steadfast diplomacy. We think of the men and women of the Canadian Forces who are fostering hope around the globe. We think gratefully of the men and women who are working to ensure our safety and security at home. We think of the vulnerable among us, and everything we can do to help them.

And we think of the future – of all that we have accomplished to create a better, brighter future for Canadians. We’ve laid the foundation for a national program for early learning and child care, to give our children the best possible start in life. We’ve invested in communities, to help them provide the services that all of us rely on. We have forged a new partnership with Aboriginal leaders to improve the lives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada.

But there is still so much to do. And there is so much that we can do, working together, to help to build the Canada we want, the Canada we all believe in.

In that spirit of optimism, Sheila and I extend our warmest wishes to you and your family for a peaceful and joyful Holiday Season, and all the best for 2006.