In the Community

Opa! Hope you were able to stop by my booth and say “hi” at this year’s Greek Day on Broadway!

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

Finally, a dampish spring here in south-western BC! The air is (mostly) clean and summer has arrived. With the House risen for the summer, I can spend more time in the community and you may have seen me at the Point Grey Fiesta or Greek Days on Broadway last weekend. However, this week I was in Ottawa co-chairing the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, and attending the official opening of a Canadian Coast Guard base in Kingston, Ontario. In other words, my Ministry portfolio work continues regardless of whether Parliament is in session. To the fathers and father figures in our community, we cherish you throughout the year. A belated Happy Father’s Day to all!

Opening of the Chinese Canadian Museum

Touring the Chinese Canadian Museum to see the challenges immigrants from China faced, and the contributions they made to Canada’s history

Congratulations on today’s official opening of the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver’s Chinatown! While attending the Government of Canada funding announcement last month, I was struck by the extensive restoration of the museum’s heritage building and the richness of its exhibits. Touring the museum illuminates the history of Chinese immigration to Canada via Vancouver. Despite various and regrettable forms of discrimination over time, Chinese Canadians continue to make significant and lasting contributions to our nation’s culture, society, and economy. When you visit the museum, do check out the school-room, where the blackboard filled with chalk writing by immigrant students has been preserved. Touring the Chinese Canadian Museum to see the challenges immigrants from China faced, and the contributions they made to Canada’s history.

The Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) Meeting

Productive discussions with Provincial and Territorial (P/T) Ministers responsible for fisheries, aquaculture and oceans

This past week I Co-Chaired the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) meeting held in Ottawa. We first met with representatives from the First Nations, Inuit and Metis National Indigenous Organizations to hear and discuss their perspectives. Day two included updates and forward planning on priority subjects such as managing the threat of aquatic invasive species, supporting the sustainability and economic well-being of the seafood sector, and safeguarding the future of fish, fish habitat, fisheries and aquaculture in a changing climate. 

All jurisdictions are currently experiencing the impacts of climate change on land and ocean ecosystems, and the P/T Ministers agreed to cooperate with Canada to accelerate ocean-based climate mitigation and adaptation.

I was particularly interested in the P/T Ministers’ positive response to my challenge that we encourage and support the seafood sector in developing a “zero waste fishery” innovation initiative. As modelled by Iceland’s “100% Fish” program, this means seeking ways to utilize all parts of the fish: head, bones, skin and guts included, thus reducing waste as close to zero as possible.

It was great to celebrate Point Grey Fiesta through conversations with community members.

Canadian Coast Guard Officer Graduation

At the Canadian Coast Guard College in Nova Scotia I joined officials in inspecting the graduating Officer Cadets.  Congratulations on four years of hard work and achievement!

It was my honour as Minister responsible for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) to attend the 54th Canadian Coast Guard College graduation, celebrating the accomplishments of 40 Officer Cadets from seven provinces. 

For more than 60 years, the Canadian Coast Guard has stood for maritime leadership and “Safety First, Service Always.” This tradition continues with the graduating class of 2023. I have no doubt the newest Ship's Officers will uphold the CCG’s high standard of conduct and dedication to keeping Canada’s waters clean and our mariners safe!

This week’s official opening of the Canadian Coast Guard facility in Kingston, Ontario

In Case You Missed It

This year’s Pride Parade will be on August 6th from 12:00 to 3:00 PM

• Minister Ng announced the launch of the world’s first-ever 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program.
• Kitsilano Showboat celebrates 88 years of great memories – check out the line up!
• Minister Joly announced additional sanctions on Russian officials to protect Ukrainian culture from destruction.
• Minister Khera, announced an investment of over $61 million to fund over 3,000 community-based projects to support seniors through the New Horizons for Seniors Program
• I announced the first Sewage Wastewater Electrochemical Treatment Technology System is now in operation on the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Earl Grey.
• To mark the end of the parliamentary session the following Bills received Royal Assent: 

1. 1. Senate Bill S-246 received Royal Assent on June 20, marking November as Lebanese Heritage Month.
   2. Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act, received Royal Assent on June 22, paving the way to support the financial security of people with disabilities.
   3. Bill C-18, the Online News Act, received Royal Assent on June 22, and will enhance fairness in the Canadian digital news marketplace.
   4. Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act, received Royal Assent on June 22, paving the way to implement everything mentioned in the tabling of Budget 2023 on March 28.

While I am in Vancouver for the summer, I will be around the community, as well as attending and hosting some events. Here are a few to highlight:

• My office is organizing a Canada Day picnic at Locarno Beach to celebrate the birthday of our great country. If you want to attend, please let us know. 
• For those of you who have been asking about the return of MP Breakfasts, I am happy to tell you that they will be starting up again. Our first MP Breakfast will be on Friday, July 28th at Aphrodite’s Café – keep an eye out for the invitation with more details.
  
  

This summer I plan on dropping in to the Khatsahlano Street Party, Brock House Summer Fair, and of course, the UBC and Kitsilano Farmers Markets- which are always a favourite of mine! If you see me out and about, feel free to stop and say hello. I look forward to the conversations!

Warm regards,

Joyce

The Hon. Joyce Murray, P.C., M.P.

Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra