Monday, December 18, 2017 – In advance of Christmas, Robert Nault, Member of Parliament (Kenora Riding), released the following statement:
"The holiday season is upon us and it is a time filled with annual Christmas events which bring our communities together and traditions shared with family and friends.
It is also the season of giving and a time to think of others. There are so many service organizations and volunteers who have dedicated themselves to bringing meals, gifts and holiday cheer to those in need throughout the riding. It's never too late in the season to make a donation or volunteer some of your time. I am proud to say that I represent a riding with an amazing spirit of generosity. From checking on elderly neighbours to pushing out a vehicle stuck in the snow, we Northerners watch out for each other.
I would like to acknowledge and thank those who work in emergency services over the holidays, or are serving our country overseas and here at home. Your sacrifice is appreciated and epitomizes how fortunate we are to be able to celebrate the season in such a wonderful country.
For many, this is a time of year that includes travelling. There's nothing like a huge snowstorm to turn our thoughts to warmer places. Whether you're flying to spend time in the sun or driving to visit family nearby, useful travel tips can be found at travel.gc.ca. Here you will find information on wait times at the Canada-U.S. border, tips for taking children on a plane, and travel advisories for countries around the world.
In addition, there's an entire section on air travel complete with a pre-boarding checklist. If a passport is required, you don't have to wait for one of my Passport Clinics. We can provide you with applications and even help fill them out at one of my constituency offices. We send a shipment to Passport Canada every week.
As we all know, inclement weather doesn't take a break for the holidays so Northerners always have to be prepared for extreme weather conditions. If possible, check the weather and road conditions before you leave. Also, be sure to have an emergency kit in the vehicle with items such as battery jumper cables, a flashlight and a light shovel.
Wherever you're celebrating this holiday season, take a moment to enjoy the simple things in life; it is a time for peace, joy, and fellowship. My hope is that compassion, charity and respect abound in our society, not just during the holiday season, but always.
From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I look forward to seeing you in 2018!"
