It is a great pleasure to bring you greetings as we celebrate this special season. I am deeply honoured to serve as the lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan, and especially to begin my term during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
The Queen is an extraordinary individual, who has chosen a life of service, but the Queen is more than a person. The Crown unites two billion citizens in 54 Commonwealth countries, who work together toward shared goals of peace and democracy. The Canadian Crown also unites our vast nation. How fortunate we are to live in a country that embraces multiculturalism, and believes in human rights and good government.
We are blessed to live in a province renowned for its volunteers. I have been deeply impressed by the generous and capable people who donate their time to worthy causes in Saskatchewan, and I thank all of our volunteers for their service.
I would like to say a special word of thanks to the men and women who serve in the Canadian Forces. Some will celebrate Christmas away from their families this year, and others will struggle with the visible and invisible wounds of war. I am grateful to all who have served our country and have sacrificed to bring peace, freedom and justice to the world.
Saskatchewan's greatest strength is the people who call our province home. We are a diverse people, who celebrate many faiths. Whatever your traditions are, I wish you much happiness and good health, today, and throughout the coming year. Merry Christmas!
