September 9, 2020

Dear friends and neighbours,

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! There is good news to share since my last MP update. You may recall back in 2017 and 2018 my writing you about developing a proposal for reducing plastic garbage on land and in the oceans and presenting it to key government decision-makers. I then worked with our Centre for Greening Government to create a draft approach for reducing and recycling plastics in the federal government’s own operations. Former Environment Minister Catherine McKenna picked up on my plastics project, championed it at the G7 Environment Ministers’ 2018 meeting, and then set to work on a Canadian plan. Yesterday I was thrilled to celebrate Minister Wilkinson’s announcement: Canada is banning single use plastics. A great green Thanksgiving step forward!

Another personal thanks-giving moment was seeing my proposal in our government’s September 23rd Throne Speech for free, automatic tax filing for those with simple tax returns. This matter is not only of digital efficiency, but also equity, as many low-income Canadians miss eligible benefits by not filing tax forms. I am excited to work with CRA Minister Hon. Diane Lebouthillier to develop this digital solution.

As Minister of Digital Government I was also pleased to see in the Throne Speech a “generational investment in IT, to serve Canadians better.” And as your MP I celebrate a number of other promises, including:

• A national Childcare and Early Learning system.
• An historic commitment to “completely eliminate chronic homelessness.”
• National standards for seniors’ long-term care homes; and
• Legislating incremental targets to reach net-zero emissions in Canada by 2050.

Orange Shirt Day 2020: Liberal MPs united in our commitment to address the legacy of residential schools.

A number of constituents have shared with me the heartache of being separated, due to COVID-19 border restrictions, from extended family members and long-term partners who live abroad. These restrictions have been eased and family will now be permitted to enter Canada with appropriate documentation. It makes me very glad to share this news. Details of this, and some other compassionate exemptions can be read here.

In case you missed it:

• The federal government just purchased 7.9 million Health Canada-approved rapid COVID-19 tests that detect the virus in as little as 13 minutes!
• This year’s Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program to reunite thousands of families will open on October 13 for a three-week application window.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an historic $10 billion green infrastructure plan for jobs through investments like clean electricity, energy efficiency and zero-emission transit.
• Minister Joly announced $600 million (in addition to the existing $1 billion) for the COVID-19 Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to support small and medium-sized businesses.
• Federal funding of almost $300 million was critical to Ford Motors’ decision to retool an Ontario plant for Electric Vehicles and batteries, beginning the creation of a clean economic growth hub and saving thousands of jobs.
• The Federal Housing minister announced $1 billion for a Rapid Housing Initiative to address the urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians. This is on top of the $237 million recently allocated to expand housing and support services for people who are homeless due to the pandemic. You will be pleased to hear the Province of BC has already received 26.4% of all funding available through our National Housing Strategy – far more than our per capita share.

Our first priority as a government is to help Canadians through the pandemic crisis in the short term. And the second is to build back better with a sustainable and responsible plan for stimulus and recovery.

In closing, I’d like to invite you to my virtual ceremony on October 16 at 11am celebrating the 25 Vancouver Quadra volunteers who received a Vancouver Quadra 2020 Hidden Heroes Award. These are our neighbours who have stepped up, some during COVID-19, to selflessly help others in our community or elsewhere, and who deserve to be recognized. Register to join us at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3092oByvRHWcdtLmcN3jIQ.

Warmly,

The Hon. Joyce Murray, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra
Minister of Digital Government


With Safouh, long-time owner of the iconic Point Grey Pharmacy. Now’s a great time to support your local small businesses! 

P.S. Do you know someone who might like to receive my weekly updates? They can go to www.joycemurray.ca and click the "Get Updates" button to be added to my email list.