Mr. Speaker, the holiday season is a time when Canadians gather to renew the cherished bonds of family and friendship; to look back on the year and indeed the century coming to a close; to look ahead with anticipation to the new year and the next millennium that beckons. Most important, it is a time to reflect on our many blessings as a people and our nation.
Let us be thankful for our prosperity, our matchless natural beauty, our rich diversity, above all, our sense that we are truly a family and that Canada is our home. No matter where we live we care about each other and work together. That is our proud history and our bright future.
May the goodwill of the season inspire us to embrace both the challenges and opportunities ahead with spirit and enthusiasm, to keep a special place in our thoughts for those of our Canadian families who are less fortunate and to reach out to them during the holidays and in the year to come.