Gratitude for our community
By Lethbridge Herald on October 5, 2024.
FROM THE HILL
Rachael Thomas – Conservative Member of Parliament for Lethbridge
As we transition into the fall season and see the farmers wrap up this year’s harvest it is a wonderful time to slow down and reflect on the many blessings we’ve enjoyed throughout the year.
Like many of you, I look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with loved ones. Before we enjoy turkey dinner, one of my family’s traditions is for everyone at the dinner table to share something they are thankful for.
Amid the hustle and bustle of daily life and the challenges we face, it’s a powerful way to stop and appreciate the many good things we enjoy each day.
As I reflect on the many things for which I am thankful, our country is top of mind—not the policies that currently govern it—but the people who call this place home.
Despite past and present hardships, the people of Canada have always held great promise.
With their ingenuity, dedication, and care, Canadians have given back to this country and forged it into a place of hope and prosperity.
I think of the brave men and women who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. Our nation has been significantly shaped by the valiant efforts of soldiers who fought in battles like the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Their courage and strength forever changed the course of history for good.
I think of the revolutionary achievements of the Famous Five, a group of incredible women from the province of Alberta who victoriously fought for women to be recognized as persons capable of civic responsibility. Their vision and grit blessed Canada with equality for women.
The long-lasting accomplishments of past Canadians are a blessing to present generations.
There is so much to be thankful for today.
Lethbridge is known as one of Canada’s most generous cities. In fact, we rank in the top ten across Canada.
Throughout the year, the people of Lethbridge find joy in giving back to the community. Be it through generous financial contributions to various non-profits, or the countless volunteer hours that keep these organizations running, we are a community that steps up and helps out.
In the face of an affordability crisis, the people of Lethbridge have taken great initiative to help their neighbours. I am grateful for the many helping hands that humbly serve our community.
Our first responders serve in incredibly difficult circumstances to ensure we are kept safe. I am immensely grateful for our police, fire, and EMS who selflessly serve and protect our community.
As we gather around the Thanksgiving dinner table for our meal with family and friends, let’s remember those on the frontlines who give up time with loved ones during the holidays to keep our community safe and care for those in need of help.
The foodbanks and other service organizations in our community work tirelessly to provide food for those in need.
From hampers for the holidays to everyday necessities, these community organizations diligently serve Lethbridge with kindness and compassion.
Sadly, many of these charities are beginning to experience shortages.
The cost of living continues to impact everyone, and the strain is being felt by many. We are an incredibly generous community, and we must continue to work together to help our neighbours.
I encourage everyone to give where you can and help as you are able. Together we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Not only does our community step up locally for those in need, we also go above and beyond to help those outside Lethbridge.
I’m in awe of those in our community who volunteer their time and labour for good causes.
I think of a large group of local farmers who graciously work the land, sell the crops, and donate the proceeds to the needy around the world.
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, there is so much to be grateful for.
Even though we face challenges, we are blessed by the people of Canada who continuously strive to make this country a better place.
We need only to look at our own community to see the good that brings hope during the darkest times.
This Thanksgiving let’s take time to reflect on all the blessings that surround us and celebrate all those who make our community so special.
Happy Thanksgiving Lethbridge!
30-29
Many of us will be very thankful if the PP Conservatives do not get a majority in the next federal election and even more thankful if they don’t win at all. We need not suffer any illusions that things would be any better with a PP Con government, and could even be worse with cutbacks to social and support programs for the needy. Would the PP Cons do more fair taxation and close tax loopholes that cause $billions in lost revenue/year, for example? Would they deal with climate change and environment issues any better? The common sense answer is, no.
Not everyone in Ms. Thomas’ constituency is in a position to celebrate anything let alone a holiday predicated on colonialism. More to the point, Ms. Thomas paints a picture more akin to Dickensian England.
In Victorian England it was a time of great charity and philanthropy, but it was also a time characterized by great inequality between the working classes, the middle classes, and the aristocracy.
In his novels, Charles Dickens recounts the social issues such as poverty, exploitation, the underground lives of the urban poor that largely went unacknowledged.
Perhaps Ms. Thomas should be encouraged to reflect on how she might lobby for those members of her constituency who do, indeed, face the darkest of times.
from behaving like turkeys to eating them. the primary difference is we stuff turkeys, while our elected turkeys are adept at stuffing themselves.
Yes, just think of all the foods used to describe money: bacon, clams, lettuce, bread, cheese, dough, cheddar, cake … stuff away, while you can!
if only the bums that think of themselves as “serving” actually did near as much. i expect we would get better service for the public good were our leaders paid not more than the median wage, weighted more to the most common income. throw in some real laws that address corruption that create serious deterrents and justice outcomes, and we may find a better society for all, not just the turkeys and the top 1% of the top 1% that farm our elected turkeys.
I’ll celebrate when we don’t have an MP who openly opposes international law and blankety supports genocide. Apparently her thankful bunch are likely thankful for pillaging others. Scary stuff.