This weekend, Canadians are gathering with family and friends for Thanksgiving.
It’s a chance to slow down, reflect – and give thanks. Give thanks for who and what you value most in your life.
And it’s a chance to give thanks for Canada.
For the rights, freedoms, and opportunities that we all enjoy. For the education, the health care, the security that we have – because we are Canadian. 
This year, Thanksgiving is a bit different.
A week from today, Albertans will have the opportunity to make an important decision about their future.
Whether to remain part of Canada or begin a long and uncertain process through which Alberta could separate from Canada.
Now, I have some perspectives on this choice.
I grew up in Alberta. I went to school right here in St. Francis Xavier High School in Edmonton. 
I’m back home a lot these days because we are building big things again in Alberta.
Thousands of new homes. High-speed rail.
A new pipeline to the West Coast that will create lasting opportunity and prosperity for hundreds of thousands of people – in this province and across the country.
In fact, we’re building across Canada at a speed and scale not seen in generations. Canada is working. 
The truth is: we can’t achieve any of this if we are divided.
You can’t build big things on fault lines.
And we should recognise that the world has changed. Canada is facing real threats – to our economy, to our security, to our way of life.
We have to be strong and we are stronger together.
Generations of Albertans helped build this country. It’s yours, it’s ours, and it’s worth fighting for. 
Happy Thanksgiving, Canada.