PRIME Minister Mark Carney said in a statement on Tuesday: “In a fast-changing, more divided and uncertain world, the holiday season is an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and focus on what really matters.

“This is a season of joy for families, and I hope that you find time to rest, reconnect, and celebrate with the people you love most.

“For Christians, Christmas holds a special meaning. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, to rejoice in the light that he brings, and to recommit to following his example of service, forgiveness, and generosity.

“The holidays remind Canadians of all traditions that there can be hope after despair, that light follows darkness.

“Although this year has brought more than its share of challenges to our country, we have also been reminded that we are fortunate to be part of one extraordinary, generous, and caring nation.

“We’re strongest when we are united, when we look out for each other, and when we take care of each other.

“Merry Christmas, Canada, from my family to yours.”

PREMIER David Eby said: “Christmas is a time of joy, giving and togetherness. As people throughout the province put the finishing touches on special gifts, festive meals and holiday decorations, I want to take a moment to thank everyone for the generosity you have shown this season and wish you a safe, peaceful and memorable holiday.

“Christmas is one of the most cherished days on the Christian calendar, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians celebrate by attending special church services, gathering with loved ones and reflecting on the Lord’s teachings of peace, love, humility and service to others. These values are at the heart of Christianity and inspire people of all backgrounds to embrace the spirit of the season.

“This year has brought challenges and uncertainty to people here in B.C. and around the world. Yet this holiday season has shown once again that when times are tough, British Columbians are there for one another.

“Throughout the province, people of all ages have been spreading holiday cheer. School communities have contributed to toy drives, filled Christmas hampers and supported local food banks. Neighbours have been shovelling walkways, running errands and checking in on seniors who live alone. And communities big and small have rallied around families facing hardship, to ensure everyone can share in the joy of the season.

“These acts of kindness reflect the true spirit of Christmas – and the true spirit of British Columbia.

“This Christmas, our family will celebrate with friends, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, with gratitude for all of our shared blessings and a commitment to work for a better world at work, school and home in the year to come.

“From my family to yours, merry Christmas and happy new year!”

CONSERVATIVE Leader Pierre Poilievre said: “Today, Christians worldwide cast their minds back more than two millennia to mark the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. For tens of millions of Canadians, this is truly a day to celebrate: with song, family, food and prayer – traditions that have been passed down from one generation to the next.

“This bright and happy season has long been beloved by many Canadians of other faiths and of none, who share in the spirit of generosity and hope.

“From holiday greetings penned in the trenches of France to festive dinners at Kandahar Airfield, this holiday has long provided our sailors, soldiers and aviators with small moments of comfort on deployments far from home.

“We salute all those who will spend today in the service of their country and communities. And we are especially grateful for those working to bring the joy of Christmas to Canadians who have no one else to spend it with.

“On behalf of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada, I want to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.”

TREVOR Halford, Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., said: “The Christmas season is upon us, a sacred time on the Christian calendar marked by worship, reflection, and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

“For many families across British Columbia, this season is marked by gathering in church, spending time with loved ones, and reflecting on values that have helped shape our province and our country. These traditions are rooted in our shared history and lived out through strong families, service to others, and care for one another.

“Hope is central to Christmas, the belief humanity has not been abandoned, even in times of hardship. Here in British Columbia, that message matters. Many families are facing rising costs, uncertainty, and strain, yet Christmas reminds us that difficult seasons do not have the final word, and that renewal is possible when we stand together.

“Christmas also teaches humility. Christ was born not into power or privilege, but into modest circumstances. That message resonates across our province, where people quietly carry heavy burdens, care for loved ones, and do their best with what they have. It reminds us that dignity is not measured by wealth or status, but by character and compassion.

“The message of peace calls us to treat one another with grace and understanding. In a world that often feels divided, Christmas invites us to lower the temperature, listen more closely, and seek common ground within our neighbourhoods and communities.

“At the centre of Christmas is love of neighbour, care for the poor, the sick, and the lonely. Across British Columbia, that spirit is visible in volunteers serving meals, neighbours checking in on one another, and families reaching out to those who might otherwise be alone during the holidays.

“Christmas calls us to service, to place the needs of others ahead of our own. This season reminds us that the strength of our province is found not only in institutions, but in ordinary people choosing kindness, generosity, and responsibility toward one another.

“On behalf of the Conservative Caucus of British Columbia and in the spirit of Christmas, I wish you a blessed and peaceful holiday season filled with warmth, hope, and optimism.”