An Economy That Works For Everyone
Dirk and I on a brief stop in Melville Saskatchewan, on our way to Ottawa!
Dear Friends and Neighbours,
With Easter weekend almost upon us, I wish you a very Happy Easter! Dirk and I recently took the opportunity to experience how Vancouver Quadra’s MPs (and their spouses) used to commute from home to Ottawa, in the days before air travel was common. So, we travelled from Vancouver to Ottawa during a recent non-sitting week – by train!
Not sure what to expect, we thoroughly enjoyed the pace, the service, the conversations with interesting fellow passengers – Canadians and visitors to Canada alike – and our glimpse of Canada’s vast and diverse landscapes. The train odyssey began on a Monday afternoon and wove through BC’s beautiful, diverse landscapes for the rest of the day. Hours of jaw-dropping snow-covered Rockies peaks glued me to my window seat, before and after stopping in Jasper midday Tuesday. Between stretches of sleep, work, meals and conversations with others, we marveled at Alberta’s wild pronghorn deer and Saskatchewan’s wild bison herds, walked Winnipeg’s colourful Esplanade-Riel foot passenger bridge over the Red River to St. Boniface and back, and were awed by the seemingly endless vastness of Lake Ontario. The one-night pause in Via Rail’s schedule connecting through Toronto gave us a chance to visit members of Dirk’s Ontario family, which was then followed by the final stretch of Via Rail travel to Ottawa, arriving Sunday. I am considering scheduling a return trip by train to Vancouver, for a fuller experience of my predecessors’ commute, and to experience the stretches of Canada’s geography we missed while asleep!
Dirk and I arriving in Ottawa!
Canada’s new Dental Care Plan will be important for the 9 million Canadians who will receive help paying for dental care, as early as May 2024
The Government of Canada has made historic investments to support families; societal investments that also aim to stimulate Canada’s economy, which now boasts the strongest debt-to-GDP ratio among G7 countries.
The Canada Child Benefit is lifting 30,000 children out of poverty, $10 a day child care frees up to $10,000 per child for other family priorities, and now extra support is being added for low-income seniors facing affordability challenges. If you and your spouse’s combined annual income is under $40,000, you may now be eligible to receive a new GIS allowance lift of up to $1,300 per month!
Healthy teeth are key to a person’s overall health. Our federal dental care program , which began by assisting children of low income families in December 2022 is also now helping more uninsured citizens to afford oral care. If you are a Canadian aged 70 or better, you may be eligible to apply now.
Enjoying the beauty of the sunset on one of my regular walks in Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Thank you to all who ensured its protection, for the benefit of future generations!
Women in the Canadian Economy
On International Women’s Day I stopped by Doughgirls Bakery at UBC to deliver personalized IWD cookies and say hi!
Last year, guests at my MP International Women’s Day Roundtable for women business owners shared their stories, and solutions for difficulties specific to women entrepreneurs. This year on IWD, March 8th, I visited some of those businesses, including Doughgirls in UBC’s Westbrook neighbourhood and Gild & Co. on West 10th. At a meeting with ‘UBC Women in Science Club’ members and their mentors, I heard how support and mentorship from fellow students and women scientists helps improve both the academic experience, and confidence. I shared my own experience of completing SFU’s undergraduate pre-medical courses and applying to a Naturopathic College. However concurrent parenthood, plus co-leading a growing family tree planting business, guided my intended career path into a very different direction!
Hearing from ‘Single Seniors for Tax Fairness’
Speaking with Cynthia and Elizabeth on the importance of tax equality for single seniors
Earlier this month I met with representatives of Single Seniors for Tax Fairness to better understand the tax issues they face. Group members noted that tax advantages for senior couples, such as sharing unused non-refundable tax credits, and splitting pension income, are not available to single seniors. Their tax burden is thus heavier compared with couples, while the ‘cost of housing and living burden’ may also fall on the single person’s shoulders alone, rather than be shared with a spouse. Delegation members suggested several possible federal tax changes, to help single seniors now, and to reduce taxes owing by future beneficiaries of their estate.
The Importance of Protecting Pacific Wild Salmon
On a snowy walk with a friend, we passed by this awesome killer whale sand sculpture. Our local resident killer whales depend on wild Chinook salmon for about 70% of their diet.
I recently shared a presentation with DFO Minister Lebouthillier, all caucus members and our Prime Minister, reflecting my view that our government must remove the remaining open-net pen salmon farms from BC waters in a timely manner, to protect wild salmon from the risks posed by waste, alien diseases and sea lice being released into ocean waters.
British Columbians recognize that this industry generates jobs and benefits in rural and indigenous communities. However economic considerations must not be allowed to trump conservation. Sustainable economic alternatives can be identified by the workers and communities affected by the promised transition, and supported by senior levels of government.
In Case You Missed It
I look forward to reconnecting with you at upcoming MP Breakfast Connections. The next one will be a climate policy update by guest speaker UBC Professor Kathryn Harrison, on Friday April 5th – invitations have been sent out, hope to see you there!
Warm regards,
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 |
