Sunday April 17, 2022 | VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Government leaders traditionally issue statements to recognize religious and national holidays. Today April 17, 2022 the prime minister and BC premier have issued statements on Easter Sunday.
- Today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is spending a second day of personal time in Whistler, BC. This past week he was in the Greater Victoria area, including an announcement about electric vehicles.
- This coming week BC Premier John Horgan will be back to work in-person, after spending a week working remotely from home in Langford while dealing with a COVID infection in the wake of his radiation treatments after cancer diagnosis and surgery.
Both statements make reference to the COVID pandemic but neither specifically mentions the climate crisis or the war in Ukraine, though Horgan’s message does refer to “a difficult year” which would encompass more than COVID.
This is the third year into the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic around the world. BC had lifted nearly all of its COVID-19 public health mandates by April 8. The Provincial Health Officer said last month that this would allow people to have a spring and summer that is more open socially and economically.
Across Canada, the Easter long weekend runs from Good Friday through Easter Monday (this year April 15 through 18).
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today issued the following statement on Easter:
“Today, Christians in Canada and around the world will celebrate Easter and commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Easter is a time to reflect on the values of sacrifice, hope, and forgiveness at the heart of Christ’s message. Traditionally, Christians will attend church, spend time with family, and organize Easter egg hunts for children. As the holiest day of the Christian calendar, Easter is also an opportunity to recognize the strength of one’s faith in helping overcome life’s obstacles.
“Easter is about joy. These past two years have been challenging for us all, but as we recover from the pandemic, I invite all Canadians to celebrate what we have accomplished together and look forward with a renewed sense of hope.
“Across the country, countless Canadians of Christian faith continue to demonstrate compassion, kindness, and resilience. They unite communities by volunteering to assist the elderly and vulnerable, and donating to important causes. Day after day, so many strive to demonstrate what it means to love our neighbours as ourselves.
“As we celebrate with our family, Sophie and I wish all those celebrating a joyful and blessed Easter.”
Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement in honour of Easter:
“This weekend, Easter is being celebrated by Christians in British Columbia and around the world.
“Easter commemorates the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while reminding us of the enduring values of self-sacrifice and love for one another.
“As a sacred and holy time for people of the Christian faith, Easter weekend also brings the first signs of spring. After a difficult year, we can all enjoy the feelings of hope and renewal that come with the changing of the seasons.
“For many people, this year’s Easter dinner will take on special significance, as we can once again gather safely with more friends and family members around the table.
“To everyone celebrating Easter this weekend, I wish you a safe, healthy and joyful holiday.”
===== RECENT RELATED NEWS:
Trudeau & Freeland: Planning and clarity needed for federal funding into health-care (April 11, 2022)
Trudeau promises national network of EV charging stations (April 11, 2022)
ICBC rebate to drivers coming in May (March 25, 2022)
===== ABOUT THE WRITER:
Island Social Trends Editor Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Cert PR has been covering the news of the south Vancouver Island region since 2008.
Ms Brooke is the founder of a series of socioeconomic news publications that have been based in the west shore region. First in the series was MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010), which morphed into Sooke Voice News as a print weekly (2011-2013), then into West Shore Voice News as a weekly print/PDF (2014-2020). Stepping away from the print format and going fully online mid-2020, Mary has taken her insightful approach to journalism island-wide (including BC and national news) at islandsocialtrends.ca.
