Tackling Big Challenges
With fellow Liberal MPs Maninder Sidhu and Ryan Turnbull, after Budget 2024 was tabled in the House of Commons
Dear Friends and Neighbours,
The weather is warmer, tulips are blooming, and as I write this we are getting the spring rains that are so characteristic for Vancouver. With the wildfire season starting early in the BC Interior, I appreciate the soaking our soil is receiving here, and hope for ample soil moisture in our province’s forests to help reduce wildfire risk this summer.
Spring is a busy season for parliamentarians as we continue to pass promised new legislation and consider how to balance Canadians’ needs and objectives for the coming year through Budget measures. Budget 2024 was tabled in the House of Commons on April 16, outlining our government’s investments to ensure fairer support for younger Canadians.
Enjoyed soaking up the beauty of a Fraser Valley tulip field with friends last weekend
As housing prices continue to be a high hurdle for many, some of Budget 2024’s measures are designed to support more Canadians in having the chance to rent or own a home, more easily. We are proposing a new Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights to protect renters from unfair practices, increase price transparency, and crack down on renovictions. Also, the government will work with the banks and credit unions to enable renters to report their rent payment history, and thus strengthen their credit scores and help more renters become homeowners.
Speaking with Danie Martin, Coordinator of the Quebec Collective of The Coalition for Healthy School Food, and advocate for our $1 billion National School Food Program
You may have joined me years ago when I organized a number of local discussions to gather community input, and advance the concept of a National Food Policy (NFP) for Canada. I am so pleased that one important NFP element is now coming to fruition – the new National School Food Program – funded in Budget 2024! The Canadian government’s target is to provide meals to an additional 400,000 children every year, offering parents the peace of mind that their children won’t go hungry at school. This generational investment in Canada’s future will mean working with provinces and territories, and Indigenous partners, to ensure every child has the food they need.
Canada’s Climate Policy Progress
Professor Kathryn Harrison speaking on Canada’s climate challenges and progress
On April 5th I held my MP Breakfast Connections with Professor Kathryn Harrison, McLean Chair in Canadian Studies at UBC, on “Tackling the Big Challenges to Canadian Climate Policy”. Professor Harrison has long been a leading expert and strong advocate for effective climate policy. Her analysis showed, based on statistics from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), that the sectors producing the most greenhouse emissions (GHG) are oil and gas, and transportation. While Canada is one of the most GHG-emitting countries in the world, significant progress in reducing emissions in key sectors is being made, with many challenges remaining. If you missed the April 5th MP Breakfast Connections and are interested in the subject, you can find the “Facebook live” video of the event on my Facebook page.
Transport Committee’s Accessible Travel Study
Improving the air travel experience for people with accessibility challenges
The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities just finished hearing from various witnesses for our Study on Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities. Our Report will address the barriers, solutions, and progress being made to improve air travel comfort and experience for people with accessibility challenges – mobility, sight or hearing – for example.
As Treasury Board President and Minister of Digital Government previously, my responsibilities included accessibility initiatives within the Canadian Public Service, and Shared Services Canada (SSC). SSC’s Accessibility, Accommodation and Adaptive Computer Technology program provides public servants with disabilities with workplace tools, so that Canada’s public service can become a world leader in barrier-free, inclusive workplaces and effective service.
The federal government is working to hire more people with accessibility challenges, until their proportion of the public service reflects their proportion in the general public. This is because such officials bring first-hand experience to anticipate and address barriers to service encountered by the public.
When questioning Study witnesses representing airlines and airports, I asked each organization about their goals for hiring more persons with disabilities, persons who might be best suited to identify and correct air industry service barriers, and thus improve service for all.
Talking Tenants Rights
Joined local Liberal MPs at the Prime Minister’s recent announcement on Canada’s new housing affordability measures.
On March 27th I joined several Liberal MPs for a pre-Budget announcement, featuring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland. The Prime Minister announced upcoming measures to make the playing field fairer for renters and aspiring homeowners:
Making sure renters get credit for on-time rent payments. It’s only fair that tenants get credit for reliably paying their monthly rent over the years, especially when they apply for a mortgage for a first home.
2023 was a tough year for Kitsilano Showboat after the unexpected fire. I am so happy to hear that Barry will be opening the 2024 Showboat season on June 21st!
In Case You Missed It
I look forward to reconnecting with you at my next MP Breakfast Connections planned for mid-May, for a discussion on social innovation and sustainability with guest speaker, Whitby Ontario MP Ryan Turnbull. Invitation coming soon!
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 |
