Season’s greetings, Bermuda.

I am privileged to address you during this time of reflection, celebration and hope. This holiday season calls us to cherish family, friendships and shared moments around our Christmas tree and over cassava pie that define Bermuda’s community spirit and traditions.

For many in our society, Christmas brings the joy of gift-giving — a tradition of showing love and appreciation to those we hold dear. Yet, I recognise that not every family in Bermuda will find it easy to put gifts under the tree this year.

The cost of living, brought on by global events, has created new challenges, and many Bermudians are working harder to make ends meet. This reality highlights the importance of building a fairer Bermuda where every family has the chance to thrive.

This year, the Government has advanced its vision for a fairer Bermuda through bold investments and transformative policies. The Midyear Budget Review introduced a $25 million social investment package addressing critical areas such as mental health, youth development and public safety.

The 2024 Throne Speech reinforced this commitment with a comprehensive agenda to promote fairness in housing, healthcare and financial services while supporting our seniors, removing red tape and protecting vulnerable populations.

Building on these efforts, the Government has outlined further measures in the 2025-26 Pre-Budget Report to ease financial pressures and ensure economic progress reaches every home. Taxes on energy and mobile phones, as well as car-licensing fees, will be reduced.

At the same time, customs duties on vehicle parts, tyres and building materials will be eliminated to lower everyday costs. Homeowners and renters will benefit from a 50 per cent cut in land tax, and the personal duty-free allowance for returning residents will increase — offering families more breathing room in their budgets.

These measures aren’t just financial policies; they are meaningful steps to address the real pressures Bermudian families feel. Combined with continued investments in healthcare, infrastructure and housing, they reflect the Government’s dedication to listening, responding and building a fairer Bermuda for all.

Amid this work, it is important that we also remember what this season is truly about. For Christians, this holiday is about the birth of Jesus Christ.

In this season, it is important to reach out to those in need, whether through a kind word, a helping hand or a simple gesture of sharing what you have with those who may be less fortunate. The true spirit of Christmas lies in uplifting one another and strengthening the bonds that unite us as a community.

As the year comes to a close, it is also a time to reflect on those who we have lost. My heart goes out to all those families who will mourn the loss of a loved one’s presence this Christmas. Let’s keep those families in our thoughts and make a special effort to reach out to them.

As a community, we mourn the loss of cherished leaders who dedicated their lives to service, including Erskine Simmons, the Reverend Canon Thomas Nisbett and the Reverend Canon James Francis. Their contributions have left a legacy of servant leadership that will continue to inspire future generations. We also remember two former members of the legislature, Kenneth Bascome and Leslie Robinson, whose contributions to the fabric of Bermuda will not be forgotten.

Even as we reflect on these losses, we celebrate the achievements that have united us in 2024. Bermudians were filled with immense pride as we watched our flag flown at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Our athletes served as powerful ambassadors on the world stage, inspiring us all with their excellence and giving us hope.

I pray we all carry that same hope into the new year, as there are many reasons to be hopeful in Bermuda. Our economy continues to grow with increased activity, tourism arrivals, new businesses coming to our shores and job growth.

And with the addition of the redevelopment of the Fairmont Southampton — the largest hotel project in our history — which will create hundreds more jobs and new opportunities for Bermudians, it is clear that we are striving towards a more prosperous future for our island.

Our work is far from finished, but as we reflect on this progress, I hope it fills us with optimism for a brighter future. Bermuda’s strength has always been rooted in our unity, our ability to support one another and our pride in shared successes as Bermudians.

Through this unity and continuing to work towards greater fairness on our island, we can ensure that 2025 is a year of continued progress, opportunity, and shared prosperity.

To all the families in Bermuda, I pray that your holiday season is filled with love, joy and peace.

And from my family to yours, merry Christmas and happy new year.