October 8, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

Happy Thanksgiving!  And thank you to all who expressed your confidence in me during the recent election; I am grateful to be able to continue to represent Vancouver Quadra residents in the House of Commons and to form a new government. The election’s 36 days gave me a valuable opportunity to hear directly from constituents – and I loved it! 

Getting to meet you on your doorsteps every day was a privilege. I knocked on doors in dozens of neighborhoods – from the beaches in the north, to the Fraser River in the south, and to the University lands in the west. Vancouver Quadra includes the entire West Side peninsula – with Arbutus St./East Boulevard our eastern boundary ­– and by walking so much of it I was reminded of the rich diversity of peoples, circumstances, and homes in our community.

I look forward to continue serving you individually through my MP Office, and collectively through our government’s renewed mandate for bold action on priorities such ending the pandemic, climate action, Indigenous reconciliation, and an inclusive economic recovery that tackles inequality and affordability.

Mandatory Vaccines for Federal Employees and Travelers
Vaccination is one of the most effective tools we have at our disposal to protect the public’s health in the face of COVID-19, prevent future outbreaks, and enable economic recovery. This week, the Prime Minister announced he would be following through on his pre-election commitment to lead by example by requiring all federal public servants and those working in the federally regulated transportation sectors to be fully vaccinated, as well as all travellers who wish to travel on planes, trains and cruise ships. 
 
Public servants will need to submit their vaccine attestation, or request accommodation before the end of October 29^th. By November 15^th any public servants who refuse to disclose their status, or who are unwilling to be vaccinated, will be subject to administrative leave without pay or eligibility for EI.
 
The requirement for travellers takes effect on October 30, 2021.  For those not yet fully vaccinated, there will be a short transition period allowing you to show a negative COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel, but this transition will end on November 30th. So, if you are unvaccinated and planning a trip in the coming weeks, please do book your vaccine appointment now.
 

COP26 – Glasgow, Oct 31 to Nov 12
The UN Climate Change Conference is coming up and our government will be sending a strong delegation.  The goal of the Conference is to accelerate action towards the targets set in the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.  Canada has invested over $100 Billion in clean growth since 2015, and implemented a range of tools like carbon pricing, regulations, and standards for cleaner fuels. With a majority of Canadians voting for stronger action on climate change, our government now has a clear mandate to do even more. COP26 presents an opportunity to pledge a more ambitious pathway at home, and provide international leadership to help and inspire other nations to accelerate their climate transitions too.
You can learn more about the conference and follow developments at:  HOME - UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) at the SEC – Glasgow 2021 (ukcop26.org)
 
First Nations Water Advisories
Many constituents have contacted me about the on-going issue of boil-water advisories affecting Indigenous communities in Canada.  Access to clean, safe drinking water is a basic need and one that I care about deeply.  It is also a need our government is committed to addressing on an on-going basis.
 
Over the past six years, we invested 4 $billion, working with Indigenous communities, to lift 117 long-term water advisories ­– more than the 105 in place in 2015.  Currently, there are 45 advisories affecting 32 communities, with work continuing. 
The management and maintenance of often-remote community water treatment systems is complex. While the goal we are working towards is zero long-term advisories – and all BC’s advisories have been ended – the reality is that new issues can arise every year.

If you are interested in tracking the progress we are making across Canada, you can find links to more detailed information here. 

In the Community
Two surveys have recently come to my attention that you might be interested in: 

• The first is from the Vancouver School Board seeking input on its new Education Plan. The survey is open until October 11, 2021.  Please visit: edplan2026.vsb.bc.ca
• The second is from the Jericho Lands Planning Program asking for feedback on the Conceptual Site Plan Options. This survey will run from Tuesday, October 19 to Sunday, November 14 and can be found on shapeyourcity.ca/jericho-lands along with information boards and a video of the Phase 3 Kick-Off presentations that can help inform you about the plan options before taking the survey. 

And finally, I am relishing a long weekend with extended family members, to catch up after the busyness of the election period. Please accept my very best wishes for each of the many faith-based and culturally significant days observed during the autumn.  And to those celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend, I wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday, whether on your own or with family and friends.

Warm regards.
 
 
The Hon. Joyce Murray, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra