The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Thanksgiving:

“Today, as we mark Thanksgiving, Canadians across the country will gather with friends and family to celebrate the abundance of harvest season and send our gratitude to the people who helped us when we needed it most this past year.

“This year, Canadians had each other’s backs, like we always do in tough times. As we saw firsthand the increasingly disruptive impacts of climate change, from devastating floods, to hurricanes, to wildfires, we also saw what we can do when we come together as a country. Today, we thank the countless first responders who risked their lives to save others. We recognize the kindness and selflessness of Canadians who stepped up to take in evacuees and provide them with food and shelter. Today, we pay tribute to these heroes, whose efforts exemplify the best of what it means to be Canadian.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.”