TORONTO – Today marks the beginning of Hanukkah, and for eight days Jewish people around the world will celebrate by lighting candles. In a year marked by much sadness and darkness, this Festival of Lights is the time to share some light.
“As we struggle to free ourselves from the grips of pandemic, it is hard not to focus on the darkness,” said Annamie Paul, Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “This second wave has not peaked, and many people face another season of celebration cut off from family, friends and the activities that would normally mark this time.
“And yet, there is always light. There is light to be found in the ways in which people have taken care of each other and looked out for our neighbours and communities during these past months. There is light to be found in our resilience – in all the ways that people discovered to remain connected, and to maintain fellowship, even when they could not be together physically. Every warm gesture, every kindness was a light.
“And now, there is a light at the end of the long, dark tunnel we are in. With a vaccine, we can finally begin to imagine the end of the pandemic and a happier 2021 when we can be together once again.
“Let us take the light we have created into the next year. There is still much work to do to build a more just, sustainable Canada; one in which each person can live a life of dignity and security from beginning to end. As I celebrate Hanukkah with my family this year, I will be committing to keeping the light going by working towards that goal.”
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