Transportation and Works
December 10, 2009

I rise in this Honourable House today to ask all members, their families and the general public to come and celebrate this year�s Christmas Lights Across Canada Ceremony. The event takes place this evening, beginning at 6:15 p.m. in the main lobby of the East Block of Confederation Building.

This ceremony has without doubt become an annual family tradition that will see some 60,000 lights illuminate Confederation Hill. This year our display will once again include six cut outs depicting Christmas scenes, and 13 trees decorated with white lights, symbolizing our 13 provinces and territories. The main tree on the steps on Confederation Building is approximately 25 feet tall and was cut from the Ocean Pond area.

Once again this year our tree contains all LED energy saving Christmas lights, and in fact all our lights in this year�s display are energy efficient bulbs. This is the 23^rd year Newfoundland and Labrador has participated in this national event.

We are ahead of the game this year, holding our ceremony a couple of days before the national ceremony in Ottawa, which this year is Saturday, December 12. But that certainly doesn�t dim the sense of pride we feel as we join with other provinces and territories across this beautiful country in officially marking the start of the holiday season.

This year it is my pleasure to be joined by the Honourable Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and her grandchildren, who will turn on the switch which will illuminate thousands of lights up and down the Parkway here in St. John�s. We will also hear from the Zara Vocal Group and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band.

Each year Christmas Lights Across Canada brings a smile to the faces of young and old alike, and I invite everyone to join us for this annual holiday event.