爱思英语编者按：斯蒂芬·哈珀 (Stephen Harper) １９５９年４月３０日出生于加拿大第一大城市多伦多。高中毕业后，他随父母迁居到盛产石油的艾伯塔省。此后，他进入卡尔加里大学深造，获经济学学士和硕士学位。哈珀是加拿大历史上最年轻的总理之一。

Christmas is always a special time, a time when Canadians celebrate the bonds of family, faith and friendship.

圣诞节始终是一个特殊的时刻，在这一天加拿大人为家庭纽带，信念和友谊而庆祝。

This year, we have even more reasons to give thanks – a challenging year ended well and a new year brings hope and promise.

今年，我们有更多的理由去感谢——充满挑战的一年很好的结束，新的一年带来了希望和承诺。

We shall be the site of the next G-8 and G-20 summits, where the world’s most powerful leaders will set a new course toward sustainable growth and prosperity.

我们将举办下一次G8和20国集团首脑会议，期间世界上最强大的各国领导人将建设一条通向可持续增长和繁荣的新道路。

And Canada will welcome the world at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler. Young Canadians, already winners of the contests to represent our country, will face off against the best athletes in the world. Their eyes are on gold and our hearts are with them.

同时加拿大将在温哥华和惠斯勒举办的冬季奥运会上欢迎世界宾朋。年轻的加拿大人，比赛的获胜者们，将代表我们的国家，去面对世界上最优秀的运动员。他们的目光集中在金牌上，而我们的心与他们在一起。

Their courage makes us proud. Their determination inspires us and when they take the podium, they will tell us something of our country: in a tough, competitive world Canada can lead. Every great thing to which our nation should aspire is within our reach if we have the spirit of an Olympian.

他们的勇气让我们为之骄傲，他们的决心激励着我们。当他们站上领奖台的一刻，他们会告诉我们这个国家所具有的信心，那就是在这样充满艰难和竞争的世界里，加拿大敢当人先。如果我们具有奥林匹克的精神，我们渴望取得的每一件伟大的事情都能办到。

Laureen, Ben, Rachel and I join in wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

劳润，本，瑞切尔和我一起祝愿你们圣诞快乐！

And we ask that you remember in your thoughts and prayers our men and women in uniform who risk their lives in the service of our country and their loved ones here at home who anxiously await their return.

我们也请大家在思念和祈祷时，记得祝福我们那些不畏艰险为国效力的男女军人们，祝福那些依然在焦急地等待着他们回家的亲人们。更多信息请访问：http://www.engbus.cn/

And to them, and all of you, we wish a happy and prosperous New Year.

衷心祝愿各位新年快乐，万事如意！