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August 3rd
Hello friends,
Hope your summer is going well and you are reconnecting with family and friends since July’s eased restrictions. Thank you if you’ve gotten your two jabs – joining more than two-thirds of eligible Canadians. Now Canada has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world! As of last week, we’ve received 66 million doses – two months ahead of schedule – enough to vaccinate all Canadians age 12 and up. Next week Canada’s international travel restrictions will be carefully eased, a huge relief to businesses and those of us with family abroad.
Our government’s recent Budget provides continuing support for individuals, families and organizations facing COVID challenges – while building a greener, more inclusive and more prosperous Canada. This hot summer highlights the difficult work ahead to be an example to other nations by leaving a better world for the generations to come.
June’s record breaking heat dome cost hundreds of British Columbians their lives, and wildfires are decimating communities and forests—including my brother’s home in Lytton and my niece’s ranch near Kamloops. Material losses from fires may be reimbursed, but many losses are beyond compensation. The ecological impacts of climate change signal grave risks for British Columbians’ future wellbeing. This unprecedented heat wave calls us all to reduce our society’s collective impacts on the earth’s natural systems.
The past month has continued to highlight the unimaginable suffering of indigenous communities from past federal assimilation ‘education’ policies. Reconciliation calls Canadians to each do our part, including to redouble efforts to root out racism in all its forms.
Learning, collaborating and adapting – this is inherently the story of human evolutionary success. On behalf of Canada’s future, let’s each reflect on our own part in this journey.
Congratulations to Hon. Mary Simon - Canada's First Indigenous Governor General!
At the July 6th announcement of her selection, Ms. Simons noted — in English and her native tongue Inuktitut — her appointment is “an important step on the long path towards reconciliation,” reflecting “our collective progress toward building a more inclusive, just and equitable society.”
Building a hopeful future in a way that is respectful of the past “means supporting the well-being of people by focusing on our youth and educational outcomes for all of our children. It means the protection of our natural world so that we can have a healthy climate and planet for generations to come.” Especially at this reflective and dynamic time, Inuk leader Ms. Simon’s appointment is an historic and inspirational moment, for Canada.
Go Canada Go!
We are more than halfway through the 2020/2021 Tokyo Olympics and Team Canada is putting in a strong performance - especially our women athletes! To cheer them on, some of my colleagues in the House of Commons put together a short video you can see here.
In case you missed it:
 We have a new stamp! After serving in the cabinets of Prime Ministers Mike Pearson and Pierre Trudeau, John Turner became Canada’s Prime Minister in 1984. As MP for Vancouver Quadra in the House of Commons from 1984 until 1993, he extended a helping hand to me during my early years as your MP. I was thrilled when Canada Post honoured the Rt. Hon. John Turner’s lifelong commitment to our country with this commemorative stamp.
- Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan recently launched consultations on the Just Transition Act, asking Canadians how the Government of Canada can ensure a just transition to a low-carbon future for workers and their communities. Consultations will go until September 30, 2021. For more information and to participate, visit www.just-transition.ca.
- Funding for an additional 4,500 units of affordable housing was announced by our Prime Minister recently, as part of the Rapid Housing Initiative. This will bring 9,200 new affordable housing units for vulnerable Canadians across the country and get us closer to the goal of eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada. Investing in thousands of good jobs in the housing and construction sector grows the middle class, and builds stronger communities.
 In mid-July we celebrated 5 years of the Canada Child Benefit, ensuring more than 3.5 million families are better off with more money to pay for the things their kids need — whether that’s new books, nutritious meals, or their weekly soccer practice. In 2021 the Canada Young Child Supplement offers extra support up to $1,200 for each child under the age of 6, to help parents pay for additional costs from the pandemic.
- To make life more affordable right across Canada and help parents, particularly mothers, return to their careers, our government committed to establishing the long awaited $10 a day childcare for families! Our funding will include training more childcare workers and increasing the number of spaces. On July 08th, British Columbia was the first province to sign an agreement with the federal government. As a first step, by the end of 2022 the average fee parents pay will be cut in half for all regulated childcare spaces for children under 6. Within five years we will reduce the average fee for these spaces down to $10 a day!
I enjoyed chatting with a number of people at the Kits Farmers Market this past Sunday; hope to see you out in the community in the coming weeks now that in-person gatherings are permitted. Thanks for your kind notes and calls – it is a true privilege to be your MP!
Warm regards
The Hon. Joyce Murray, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra
Minister of Digital Government
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