In his New Year message to Canada the PM made a choice similar to the one I advised about closing speeches.

Speculation swirls over imminent cabinet shuffle CTV.ca 2 Jan 2007

The prime minister didn’t end his speech with his signature “God bless Canada.” Instead, he wished Canadians a “Happy New Year … and may God keep our land glorious and free.”

Here is the closing from the message (Prime Minister Wishes Canadians a Happy New Year pm.gc.ca 31 Dec 2006):

Happy New Year Canada…

And may God keep our Land glorious and free.

Last April I said (Close speeches with ‘O‘ Canada not ‘God Bless[…] 25 April 2006):

I have often said that Canadians should close their speeches with “O Canada,� which is the name of our national anthem. It is suitably open and progressive for Canadians and I predict a >90% approval rating.

[...]

I wonder if that quarter of people would be happy if Harper ended his speeches with “God keep our land� ou “Protégerions nos foyers et nos droits.�

Looks pretty familiar now, doesn’t it.

Harper-y New Year