Spreading Peace and Christmas Wishes Around the World

December 19th, 2007

As we approach Christmas 2007, I can’t help but reflect on the past year. What a difference this year will be for me! I spent last Christmas in Afghanistan where I had the honour of helping to serve turkey and all the trimmings to our men and women in uniform.

Comedian Rick Mercer, who travelled with our small group at the invitation of Chief of Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier, recently said that never in his wildest dreams (or nightmares) did he imagine waking up on Christmas morning at an army outpost in Afghanistan to find me handing him a cup of coffee and glancing across the tent only to see Environment Minister John Baird in his underwear!

It is especially at this time of year that my thoughts are with our troops overseas. While they are away from their families and friends for birthdays and anniversaries and other special occasions, being away from home on Christmas day in a war-torn country is a tremendous sacrifice. The fact that these men and women voluntarily commit themselves to keeping watch to instil security and peace is the best Christmas present they could ever give to Canadians and those in need around the world.

As we approach this Christmas, the spirit of giving remains strong among Canadians and their government. Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently announced that Canada, in partnership with UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and other donor countries, is leading an ambitious initiative to improve healthcare for impoverished mothers and children in Africa and Asia.

This Canadian-led initiative will deliver basic, cost-effective and life-saving health service to mothers and children in countries where the needs are greatest. Canada’s contribution of $105-million over five years will train over 40,000 health workers and provide much-needed treatment for diseases such as malaria, measles and malnutrition. These efforts alone are expected to save 200,000 lives in Africa.

And just this week, at the outset of this season of peace, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier announced that Canada is increasing its support to the Middle East peace process by committing $300-million over the next five years for Palestinian reform and development.

The Israelis and Palestinians have committed to concluding negotiations in the peace process within one year. While ambitious, this goal is attainable if the Palestinian government can build security, governance and prosperity for its people. In order to develop and build a viable state, the Palestinian Authority urgently requires financial support from the world and Canada will be there, ready to support their efforts to live in peace and security as a neighbour to Israel.

For those Canadians who are fortunate to gather together with their friends and family for the holidays, we can rejoice that we already enjoy the peace that is beyond the reach of so many around the world.

On behalf of my family and staff, I wish you and yours the merriest possible Christmas!