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September 20, 2022
At Rideau Hall for Canada's part in formalizing the accession of King Charles III.
Dear friends and neighbours,
On the verge of sending you an email update, the world suddenly changed on September 8th, amidst our government’s annual Cabinet retreat with the Prime Minister, the sad news came that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had passed away. I join the millions of Canadians across the country who mourn her passing. After a lifetime of service in Great Britain and the Commonwealth, so many are deeply moved by her life of wisdom, compassion and warmth throughout seventy years of devotion to others.
Prime Minister Trudeau had known Her Majesty since his father’s time as Prime Minister decades ago, and he expressed his thoughts and condolences in this message posted the day she passed away.
Two days later he, with members of the Federal Cabinet and the Privy Council, met prior to the ceremony of accession of King Charles III to the throne. Governor General the Right Honourable Mary Simon then gave permission to proceed, as part of the protocol needed to formally proclaim the new sovereign.
Yesterday, on the final official day of mourning her Majesty’s death, cabinet ministers, senators and parliamentarians joined other invited guests at a very moving National Commemoration Ceremony in the Queen’s honour at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa. Guests signed a Book of Condolences, and if you would like to share your thoughts by signing a Book of Condolences also, the Book at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver will be available 10am-4pm PST until September 25th, and an online book can be signed here.
I was delighted to participate in a search and rescue exercise in Rankin Inlet's Arctic waters.
My summer was a very busy one with many trips to meet with coastal Canadians, and hear directly about their priorities concerning fisheries, marine protected areas, and Canadian Coast Guard operations. My travel to northern and Arctic communities ranged from the Yukon communities of Whitehorse, Little Salmon Carmacks, and Dawson City, to Yellowknife and Inuvik in the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut communities such as Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit and Kujjuak. Late summer work travel also included several days each in PEI, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, as well as to visits to west coast science facilities, salmon and sturgeon critical habitat, and Indigenous communities up the Fraser valley.
Growing the Economy for all Canadians
Canadians are feeling the effects of challenging times: the years-long COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a major war in Europe and destabilization of global energy supplies, have driven up inflation and interest rates. Our government has responded with a set of targeted supports for the most vulnerable, such as Indigenous Canadians and seniors, and to help more people enter the workforce. For example, we’ve learned from European countries that high-quality, accessible, affordable, public childcare supports more people (mostly women) to enter the job market, and is itself an important source of new jobs, and an economic driver
Last year our federal government signed an historic financing agreement with BC to cut fees for regulated child care in half by the end of this year. Fees will drop to $10 a day by 2027, while funding will help fund a whopping 30,000 new spaces over that timeframe!
Between the $10 a day childcare deal, and the inflation-adjusted Canada Child Benefit going up, our government is giving support to young families who need it most.
Regrouping with family after a couple of hours at Kitsilano Farmers Market.
Health care and family doctors
I’ve also heard from many local residents who struggle to get medical help in a timely way. In response, the federal government recently supplied the provinces with an extra $2B to overcome surgical backlogs and other healthcare strains. Now, the provinces must work to improve their healthcare delivery, including strengthening provincial health care workforces.
Visiting groups of young students learning and enjoying the outdoors at the Soaring Eagle Nature School summer camp in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
The Pope's Visit and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
His Holiness the Pope visited Canada this summer to deliver an historic apology for the Catholic Church’s role in the Canadian residential school system. Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s “Call to Action” #58, the apology was a critical step towards reconciliation and healing for indigenous families living with impacts of harmful and discriminatory policies and practices.
On September 30th Canada marks our second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. True reconciliation requires more than acknowledgement and apologies; it takes building a new relationship of respect and partnership, together with shared decision making and significant investment. Here’s a summary of our government’s extensive 2022 investment in Indigenous community support, for greater opportunities and well-being.
A summer evening of fun and food hosted by my recently retired, extraordinary constituency office manager, Catherine Evans and her husband Paul.
In case you missed it:
My visit to the Canadian Coast Guard College in Nova Scotia reinforced the wonderful and diverse career opportunities CCG can offer young Canadians.
As we enter a new school year, I wish all students and teachers a very happy return to the classroom! As Parliament’s sittings resume, I look forward to continuing work on my mandate as the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and connecting with you in Vancouver Quadra.
Best regards,
Warm regards,
Joyce
The Hon. Joyce Murray, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra
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