Serving the Community at Home and in Ottawa
To all returning students and the UBC community, I wish you a successful academic year!
Dear Friends and Neighbours,
Since my last email update, much has happened! My personal summer schedule included an extended-family reunion in Ontario, a visit to my New York-based grandchildren, and time spent with friends at home and in BC’s incomparable coastal wilderness. I trust you, also, took advantage of the long days and warm nights of summer to reconnect and recharge. Now, as the light leaves a bit earlier each day and leaves begin to change colour, I want to wish you a Happy Autumn! To Vancouver Quadra educators, staff and students of all ages, may your first weeks back in school prepare the ground for an enjoyable and productive year ahead.
The House of Commons began its 2023 fall session on September 18th and, as your Member of Parliament, my schedule and responsibilities in Ottawa have changed: the federal cabinet has a new Fisheries Minister, the Hon. Diane Leboutillier. In mid-July I announced I would not be seeking re-election in 2025. My twenty-three years in provincial and federal politics include numerous campaigns, four years as a BC provincial Minister, and four and a half years serving as President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Digital Government and Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard – in addition to serving as your federal representative. This follows a 23-year career building a family reforestation business while raising a family and earning an MBA. Both careers have been rewarding, and at times intense! Now, after attending the recent National Caucus meeting in London, Ontario last week, I’m back and forth between Ottawa and Vancouver once again, focussed on serving the Vancouver Quadra community. Hope to see you soon!
On the home front this summer, my MP Canada Day community picnic at Locarno Beach – the first since the pandemic – was enriched by the presence of many local newly-minted Canadian citizens, joining us for their very first Canada Day as Canadians! I and/or my staff members hosted a summer booth at the Khatsahlano Street Party, visited the Kitsilano Farmers’ Market and several other local Festivals, and reconnected with friends at my ‘MP Breakfast Connections’ with Dr. Carole Christopher, where we discussed the important contributions seniors offer make as “guiding elders”.
Increasing Housing Supply and Affordability
Investing in Housing Projects Close to Home
In August our government announced a commitment of nearly $500 million in low-interest, repayable loans to help fund 1,100 purpose-built rentals in Vancouver, through the Rental Construction Financing Initiative. On September 7, I announced that nearly $150 million of this funding is dedicated for 364 purpose-built rental homes on Vancouver’s west-side. Two projects will provide much-needed UBC housing, helping reduce faculty and staff commute times. The third project will provide more rental housing near Arbutus and West 19th.
And on September 14th the Prime Minister announced the federal government will remove GST from new purpose-built rental housing such as apartment buildings, student housing and senior residences. Combined with provincial PST relief, removing the GST is expected to incentivize a significant increase in rental housing construction, supply, and affordability – in BC, and right across Canada.
Seniors Matter
Thank you to participants at my ‘Connecting Seniors’ Townhall at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House
It was a special treat to have the Liberals’ National Seniors Caucus Chair MP Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East) join us to discuss supports for seniors. MP Thompson reviewed recent improvements to federal programs such as Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). Our guests offered their input into improving seniors’ quality of life, and we will bring this feedback to Ottawa.
In Case You Missed It
Since 2015, the federal government has taken significant steps that will better support seniors. For example, all OAS and GIS payments now rise to keep up with inflation. And more recently:
Canadian Coast Guard Officer Graduation
Dr. Carole Christopher, Elder Circle founder at SPEC, at my July ‘MP Breakfast Connections’. Her first Guiding Elder’s Circle will be on October 12th with Dr. David Suzuki as keynote speaker
Appreciating the community-building West Point Grey United Church Fall Fair
King’s Pins Award
Recently, all MPs received a limited number of pins commemorating His Majesty King Charles III’s ascension to the throne. I plan to offer a pin to ten community members who have contributed, over their lifetime, to one or more of the following values of importance to King Charles: conservation, reconciliation, and architecture/liveable communities. To nominate a Vancouver Quadra resident, please fill out the form below before October 20th, 2023. Successful applicants will be contacted to receive their pin, at a reception held in their honour at my office.
Please note that due to the limited number of pins, my office will consider qualified submissions on a first-come first-served basis, for local residents who have not previously been awarded a federal pin of recognition.
Did you see me and my team at the University Neighbourhood Association (UNA) Neighbours Day? What a great way to highlight local organizations in UBC’s neighbourhoods.
Warm regards,
Hon. Joyce Murray, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra
| Mon: | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Tue: | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Wed: | 9:00AM - 1:00PM |
| Thu: | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Fri: | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Sat: | Closed |
| Sun: | Closed |
