Christmas Message from Cam Broten, Leader of the Official Opposition

Though the weather outside can be frightful, this time of year is still pretty delightful.

It’s a time to slow down a bit and focus on what matters most.

To gather with those we love, enjoy one another’s company, continue longheld traditions, and perhaps even start some new ones.

This Christmas, I’m very much looking forward to visiting the farm, catchingup with family and loading up on some good traditional Norwegian food – like klub and lefse.

I’m looking forward to sledding with the kids, telling stories around the fireplace, and seeing their expressions of excitement as we gather as a family to open gifts.

And I also have to admit that I’m looking forward to a few days away from the normal routine so I can leave my razor in the drawer and grow my annual Christmas beard.

However you celebrate the holidays, I hope this season brings you a time of rest and reflection … as well as a lot of good food, and a lot of fun with family and friends.

For many of us, this is also a time to celebrate the Christmas story – of a baby, who was born into poverty, in a town too crowded to offer shelter, and who brought an incredible message of peace, love and redemption.

A message that challenges us to look out for one another, to comfort those who suffer, to give hope to the most vulnerable among us, and to strive for a better, more just world for everyone.

That’s a message that’s important to my family, and it’s a big part of my motivation as the Opposition Leader – to always focus on making sure that people are doing well.

There’s no doubt that Saskatchewan people are incredibly big-hearted all year round, but we’re especially generous at this time of year… as we all do a bit more to support those in need, here at home in our own communities, throughout our province, and halfway around the world in conflict zones in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and South Sudan, and Ebolaaffected countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.

Those carols calling for peace on earth, the end of all oppression, and joy to all the world ring especially true this year.

Whatever meaning this holiday season has for you and your family, and how- ever you celebrate it, I hope the season is a good one for you.

On behalf of my wife, Ruth, our daughters, Ingrid, Clara and Gudrun, and all the New Democrat MLAs – I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a joyfilled holiday season, and a very happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year!