Today, people in British Columbia and around the world will celebrate the year gone by and welcome the year ahead. If your family is like mine and has small children (or very tired adults), it may begin with a celebration closer to bedtime than midnight.
“For many of you, 2024 was a time of challenges and uncertainty. Still, we came together to lift each other up in a variety of ways, including volunteering in our communities, opening our homes to evacuees during the wildfire season and generously giving over the holiday season.
“In 2024, we started to see some results on issues you asked our government to work on. While we expanded affordable child care, helped more people get a family doctor and delivered more homes for the middle class, I know there is a lot more to do.
“The new year is a time to reflect on lessons learned and set goals for the future. I have heard that you want our government to work harder to tackle the issues that you and your family are talking about around the kitchen table. That is our focus for 2025 and beyond.
“For families struggling with everyday costs driven by global inflation, we are going to deliver a middle-income tax cut in 2025, and every year after. We will also review health authorities to make sure your tax dollars are being spent efficiently on strengthening health care in your community. We will continue to connect people to family doctors through our Health Connect Registry so everyone can get the high-quality care they need, when and where they need it.
“For young people who are being priced out of their communities, we will build homes you can afford by cracking down on speculation, breaking down barriers to home construction and helping you buy your first home.
“For workers and small business owners, we will build a stronger, cleaner economy that benefits everyone. We will continue to work with our partners to fight against unfair trade threats as we diversify our economy. And we will work to reduce permitting times to ensure certainty in the years ahead.
“We will do all this work in partnership with Indigenous people, while working toward true and lasting reconciliation.
“Despite all the challenges we face, you – the hardworking people of B.C. – make me more optimistic about our future than ever. Together, we can build a sustainable, prosperous province where everyone can get ahead and no one gets left behind.
“Tonight, my family and I will share our hopes and dreams for 2025. Baby Gwen isn’t speaking in full sentences yet, but I can already tell she’s excited to start walking next year. In the same way, step by step – and with the support of one another – we will tackle the big challenges we are all facing and build a province we can all be proud of.
“From my family to yours, happy new year!”
Courtesy of Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau - Prime Minister of Canada:
Canadians across the country and around the world will gather with family and friends to ring in the New Year. This is an opportunity to reflect on the past year and to look to the future with renewed hope and optimism.
“In 2024, Canadians did what Canadians do best. We stuck together, supported one another, and got through good times and bad times alongside each other. And the Government of Canada took action to make life better for Canadians and deliver fairness for every generation.
“Through our Housing Accelerator Fund, we’re fast-tracking 750,000 new homes over the next decade, and we’re taking action to keep housing affordable. We’re protecting renters from unfair rent prices and making rent payments count toward their credit score. We’re also identifying public land across the country where new homes can be built.
“This fall, we announced that we are putting more money in your pocket with a two-month GST/HST tax break. This is a tax break for all Canadians, so you can save on essentials like groceries, snacks, and kids’ clothing. With more money in your pocket, you can buy the things you need and save for the things you want.
“As we look to a new year and the work ahead, strengthening the middle class will continue to be our priority. Over the past year, we increased the Canada Child Benefit and began rolling out the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which has already helped more than 1.2 million Canadians visit the dentist. We’re also moving forward with pharmacare, which will make contraceptives as well as diabetes medications, like insulin, completely free.
“As we count down to midnight tonight, I invite Canadians to join me in celebrating all that we have achieved together in 2024 and in looking toward a better and fairer future in the new year.
“Happy New Year, Canada!”
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