September 2012 Newsletter

Joyce Murray, MPVancouver Quadra

I am so pleased that this summer the very real risks of land and ocean oil spills from the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline to Kitimat caught the public’s attention!

For several years I have been actively raising awareness of this issue. I worked with the former Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, who in June 2010 publicly committed to legislate the long-term Liberal policy banning oil supertanker traf� c from the turbulent waters of the Paci� c north coast.

Several months later my Private Member’s “Tanker Ban” Bill C-606 was up for debate. To ensure my Bill would pass I had secured the support of all opposition party members in Parliament; but unfortunately it died—as did all proposed legislation—when the 2011 federal election was called.

Since then I have continued working to raise awareness and support—writing, speaking to media and at community events, hosting town halls across the province, participating in rallies and local initiatives, and re-tabling my Bill (now C-437).

The Conservative government has weakened environmental protections and attacked Canadian environmental groups. That, plus their irrespon-sible subsidies to the oil sector and their disregard for British Columbians’ concerns make it all the more urgent that the public be well informed.

I welcome your help! Please email me ([email protected]) or send in the tear-off sheet below, for a copy of my petition to protect BC’s north coast from oil spills.

Best regards,

NO POSTAGE REQUIRED

Joyce Murray, MP 206 – 2112 West BroadwayVancouver, BC V6K 2C8

CUT AND DETACH HERE, AND MAIL POSTAGE FREE!

Name

Address

City Prov. Code

SEPT

2012

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR VANCOUVER QUADRAJOYCE MURRAY

SEPTEMBER 2012PROTECTING BC’S COAST—WITH YOUR HELP!DEAR FRIENDS & NEIGHBOURS,

YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD. YOUR CANADA.

I want to help!Please send me a petition calling on the government to protect BC’s north coast, to sign and distribute to family and friends. Note: Petitions require 25 ink signatures to be tabled in Parliament.

Please send me a petition in the mail.

Name Address City Postal Code

Please send me a printable petition by email.

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A MESSAGE FROM JOYCE MURRAY, MP • FOR INVITATIONS TO MP EVENTS, EMAIL US AT [email protected]

206 – 2112 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V6K 2C8 T: (604) 664-9220 F: (604) 664-9221 E: [email protected] www.joycemurray.ca

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010912-01

Here to Serve Our Community STOP THE HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY IN THE CONGO!

After meeting with a Congolese women’s delegation—in Ottawa seeking Canadian help—MP Murray tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling on the government to implement a monitoring and labeling system to ensure “con� ict minerals” mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are not used in electronic products sold in Canada.

Armed DRC groups use force and intimidation to control the supply of certain minerals, such as coltan and tin, used in electronic products like cell-phones and computers. Pro� ts from the mining and sale of these minerals help � nance a war that since 1994 has claimed over � ve million lives, making it one of the bloodiest con� icts since World War II. Women and girls are routinely victims of atrocity and abuse in what has been called the “rape capital of the world.”

Canadian businesses engaged in the global economy must use only responsibly sourced mineral components, but they need Canadian government leadership to develop a national framework.

A tracking, labeling and monitoring system indicating products that are “con� ict mineral free” will help Canadian retailers and consumers avoid inadvertently fueling this horrendous war.

A safer world for Congolese women and girls is a safer, more humanitarian world for all.

MP Murray tabling her Motion in the House of Common






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010912-02

Here to Serve Our Community A BANKER’S PERSPECTIVE ON A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY

The May MP Breakfast Connections featured Member of Parliament Joyce Murray and Vancity CEO Tamara Vrooman engaging guests in a dialogue about building a sustainable economy in Canada.

BC’s former Deputy Minister of Finance is now head of Canada’s largest credit union. Ms Vrooman offered a unique perspective on recent international banking industry failures underpinning the 2008-9 world economic crisis and outlined the role of responsible banking in building sustainable communities.

The conversation explored the meaning of “sustainable economy” as one that continues to add value in the long term—“value” that bene� ts people, the environment, and brings economic bene� ts. Businesses like Vancity are adopting “triple bottom line” accounting and are working towards national level composite indices like the Canadian Index of Wellbeing as an alternative way of measuring sustainable growth because—unlike the GDP—they include reliable societal and environmental quality-of-life measurements.

Ms Murray cited research con� rming companies with strong sustainability mandates are more pro� table than those without. Fortunately Vancouver is home to many entrepreneurs and innovators who, like Ms Vrooman, are developing new ideas and innovations for creating a more prosperous, fair and sustainable society.

To receive invitations to MP Breakfast Connections, please email [email protected]

MP Murray with May MP Breakfast speaker Tamara Vrooman






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010912-03

Here to Serve Our Community JOIN THE URBAN FOOD REVOLUTION!

Businessman and former City Councilor Peter Ladner fed imaginations at Member of Parliament Joyce Murray’s June MP Breakfast Connections, with urban success stories from his new book The Urban Food Revolution: Changing the Way We Feed Cities.

Ladner highlighted some of today’s unsustainable agricultural practices, and the unexpected bene� ts of innovative, local food production. From community building, to crime reduction, beauti� cation, job-creation and rising property values, the continent-wide movement of small scale local agriculture is revitalizing urban areas while increasing food security.

Among the many successful Metro Vancouver initiatives, Ladner mentioned the new Southlands farm-centred subdivision in Surrey that’s becoming a centre for local agriculture, and SOLE Food Farm in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside—a social enterprise providing urban agriculture training and employment to residents, and fresh, local food to the community.

“We are all involved in the food system, every time we eat,” Ladner noted. “We are rediscovering our connection to our food, and it has captured people’s imagination.” Ms Murray, who in the 1980s raised her 3 children on home-grown organic fruits and vegetables from their large Burnaby garden, joked that her bee-keeping husband Dirk has recently been reconnecting with nature—through dozens of painful bee-stings!

To receive invitations to MP Breakfast Connections, please email [email protected]

MP Murray and author Peter Ladner






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010912-04

Here to Serve Our Community “ STOP THE BULLYING AND STAND UP FOR CHARITIES”

This spring Member of Parliament Joyce Murray, Co-Chair of the Liberals’ weekly Policy Caucus, invited representatives from leading umbrella organizations of the non-pro� t and charitable sector to Parliament Hill, to meet with Liberal senators and MPs about the Conservative government’s attack on charities.

From the church-based justice group KAIROS Canada, to community and environmental non-pro� t TIDES Canada—thousands of non-governmental and charitable groups are being attacked simply for volunteering. They have been verbally abused, had funding withdrawn, and have been audited by Revenue Canada (given millions in extra funding for auditing charities). Conservative ministers and senators publically use language like “anti-Canadian,” “radicals,” involved in illegal “money-laundering,” that “take money from Al Qaeda, the Hamas, or the Taliban,”—to smear non-pro� ts if their message differs from government’s. Regrettably, these tactics mirror the bullying associated with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s style.

By intimidating and undermining charities who advocate for the underdog and the public good, the Conservative government weakens Canada’s moral society. By excluding charities from public policy debates, Conservatives are silencing dissent and weakening Canada’s democracy.

MP Murray raised these concerns in speeches and press releases. If you too are concerned, please sign the Liberal petition for hearings by the Senate National Finance Committee at petition.liberal.ca/stop-conservative-attacks-charities.

Summer 2012 door knocking in Quadra






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010912-05

Here to Serve Our Community NO OIL SUPERTANKERS; NO NG PIPELINE

In June Member of Parliament Joyce Murray re-introduced her Private Member’s Bill C-437 (formerly C-606) in the House of Commons. This bill would exclude oil supertankers from Canada’s Paci� c North Coast to protect coastal communities, jobs and ecosystems from the risk of an oil spill, and reinforces the long-standing federal Liberal commitment to this region.

“The Conservative government is weakening environmental protection, over-riding Canada’s Environmental Assessments, and undermining consultations with First Nations and British Columbians on the Northern Gateway Pipeline (NGP) project,” said Murray. “The US regulator’s condemnation of Enbridge’s Kalamazoo River oil spill response further underlines our concerns.”

British Columbians shoulder an unacceptable environmental risk from NGP—but potentially harmful economic impacts must also be considered.

Over 230 people � lled a gymnasium for Ms Murray’s second public event on the economics of Enbridge’s pipeline proposal.

Independent economist Robyn Allan’s analysis of Enbridge’s detailed NGP National Energy Board submission highlighted inaccuracies and omissions in the project’s business case. She tallied the cost of exporting thousands of permanent Canadian oil re� ning jobs to Asia, noting the NGP submission calculates the doubling of domestic oil prices as a bene� t, and ignores negative impacts on Canadian workers, consumers, commuters and businesses. Visit www.joycemurray.ca for more information.

MP Murray and economist Robyn Allan at her MP Townhall on Enbridge’s pipeline proposal






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010912-06

Here to Serve Our Community “ MR HARPER—DON’T MAKE CANADA MORE UNEQUAL”

Member of Parliament Joyce Murray met with community members of all ages at her Marpole Java with Joyce to discuss the Conservative government’s decision to delay Old Age Security eligibility by two years. This change, included in the government’s omnibus budget bill, delays the OAS bene� t from age 65 to 67.

Ms Murray considers it unacceptable to change OAS to increase income inequality and widen the gap between society’s haves and have-nots. Attendees noted this delay will hit the most vulnerable the hardest, with disabled people and low-income women most affected. This also means a 2-year delay for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), a lifeline available to the poorest of the poor.

Liberals recognize an aging Canadian population will impact social service costs, so a Liberal government changed the Canada Pension Plan to be properly funded in the future, but Parliamentary Budget Of� cer Kevin Page has concluded the current OAS structure is still � nancially sustainable over the long term.

Vancouver Quadra community members wanting government to maintain the current age for Old Age Security gathered hundreds of signatures on Ms Murray’s petition, which she was pleased to present in the House of Commons.

Enjoying a BBQ with constituent Miriam Yu






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010912-07

Here to Serve Our Community KITS COAST GUARD—A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

Many of us spend time in the water every summer, swimming, boating, paddling and sailing. In the past, Burrard Inlet and False Creek waters have been under the watchful eye of the Kitsilano Coast Guard base, staffed 24 hours a day, responding to over 300 emergency calls a year.

Local residents were shocked by the Conservative government’s inexplicable decision to close the Kits Coast Guard in 2013.

Responding to � oods of emails and calls, Member of Parliament Joyce Murray hosted a Java with Joyce consultation on the issue. Attendees included a retired Kits Coast Guard manager who expressed deep concern about the removal of this station, scof� ng at the government’s claim that Canada’s busiest harbour can be serviced from a base 17 nautical miles away in Richmond. Search and rescue volunteers and professionals alike say S&R response times will increase dramatically—up to double the current standard—and result in preventable loss of life.

Keeping this important base open is a non-partisan safety priority. Ms Murray tabled motion M-396 calling on the government to reverse its plans to shut the base and, with Liberal MP Hedy Fry, wrote local Conservative MPs asking for their support. Visit www.joycemurray.ca to � nd out how you can help!

MP Murray consulting with community members at a café near Jericho Sailing Centre






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010912-08

Here to Serve Our Community OUR DUTY TO STAND UP FOR CANADA’S SMALL BUSINESSES

Canadians are now able to bring a lot more merchandise back from the United States duty-free—$200 instead of $50 on visits over 24 hours, and $800 instead of $400 on trips two days or more. Plus these purchases enjoy a holiday from Canadian sales taxes.

While this change is obviously good for shoppers enjoying a deal in the U.S., it is bad for the Canadian stores losing that business—most of whom are small or medium size enterprises. The Conservative government failed to give Canadian retailers a break on duty and taxes similar to the one they just gave shoppers. That means Canadian retailers’ prices are relatively higher, in effect pushing Canadians across the border to spend their money in the US.

Thanks to duty charged by government plus other factors, consumer items in Canada are 14 per cent more expensive on average than the same items sold in the US—even before paying sales taxes.

Ms Murray is calling on the federal government to act immediately to remove duties from selected US goods imported by the Canadian retailers, and level the playing � eld. Many shops in border communities struggle just to stay a� oat - why send Canadian shoppers south of the border without also supporting businesses and jobs at home in Canada!

Meeting with representatives of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business






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010912-09

Here to Serve Our Community A NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY GROUP

Liberals believe that Canada’s innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the heart of a thriving economy and community. Most Canadians have at least one family member earning a living thanks to a small (under 100 employees) or medium sized business (under 500 employees). SMEs employ about two-thirds of the Canadian workforce, make up 40 per cent of GDP, and regularly account for more than half of all new jobs in Canada!

Ensuring that they have a direct voice in Ottawa to help foster conditions for their well-being and growth is the aim of Member of Parliament Joyce Murray, Liberal Critic for Small Business and Tourism.

After meeting with business leaders in Vancouver Quadra and communities throughout BC, Ms Murray recently brought together business leaders from across the country to form a National Small Business Advisory Group. The group includes diverse ages, sectors, regions, and perspectives, re� ecting the complexity of business issues in Canada—and making for interesting discussions!

Ms Murray’s goal is to add her voice to improve federal government policies affecting small businesses. Her Advisory Group will help identify key challenges and priorities, propose actions, and contribute to effective public policy that supports small business prosperity, and all who bene� t.

Consulting with Jojo, owner of Blenz Coffee on W 4th and Alma






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010912-10

Here to Serve Our Community FORGING THEIR OWN OPPORTUNITIES

Can you guess just what a rapper, hoodie-maker, and Member of Parliament have in common? Those who attended Member of Parliament Joyce Murray’s summer evening discussion—Forging Our Own Opportunities—learned how all three successful entrepreneurs turned their passion into their living.

The evening Forum on youth entrepreneurship was organized by MP Murray out of her concern that the Conservative government’s massive increase in the public debt, their job cuts, and their focus on the largest corporations rather than small business and innovation is choking off Canada’s economic recovery. Job opportunities for students and recent graduates have languished, with Canada’s youth unemployment stuck at 14%.

Ms Murray, co-founder of a now-international reforestation business, award-winning rap artist Baba Brinkman, and the Dragon Den-featured “Thuggie” team, shared their entrepreneurial recipes for success and engaged the group on the issues facing this younger generation of innovators. Vancouver Quadra parents, wondering

if their young family members will ever have their own chance to succeed and prosper, were inspired by the young entrepreneurs.

The evening ‘rapped up’ with a lively performance by Baba Brinkman of his Rap Guide to Business, commissioned in 2011 by New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Entrepreneur & entertainer Baba Brinkman’s album cover

September 2012 Newsletter

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Transcript of September 2012 Newsletter