Joyce Murray was first elected as Vancouver Quadra’s voice in Parliament in 2008…and hit the ground running!
In Ottawa, Joyce is a fierce advocate for a variety of issues: environment and climate change; building a stronger, greener economy with emphasis on job creation and support for small businesses; human rights and women’s rights; education with a focus on financial support for college and university students; health and home care; and preventative health.
Joyce is the Liberal critic for Small Business and Tourism, the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Western Economic Diversification.
In December 2010, Joyce introduced her Private Member’s Bill C-606, legislating a crude oil tanker ban in the inland waters around Haida Gwaii known as Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound. This bill formalizes the long-term moratorium on oil tanker traffic on BC’s Pacific North Coast, first established by the Liberal government under Prime Minister Trudeau in 1972, and respected by successive governments until recently.
As an active member of the Canada-China Legislative Association, Joyce is steadfast in helping to strengthen Canada’s ties with China and the Asia-Pacific, as well as increasing investment in local small and medium size businesses. Before entering federal politics, Joyce was elected MLA in the BC Government. With her extensive experience in the environmental and business community she was immediately appointed as the province’s Environment Minister and served in this role from 2001 to 2004.
Joyce’s path to provincial and federal politics is indeed unique. Her twitter profile reads: “tree planter MP goes to Ottawa,” as she co-founded an international reforestation company that has planted over one billion trees. Joyce’s environmental background extends back to her 1992 Executive MBA thesis on global warming (available here), proof of Joyce’s long-held belief that the environment and business do not have to be competing interests.
Joyce follows a rich tradition of strong leadership in Vancouver Quadra, joining the ranks of Hon. Stephen Owen, Ted McWhinney and former Prime Minister Right Hon. John Turner in representing one of Canada’s most beautiful ridings.
She has three grown children and proudly lives in Vancouver Quadra with her husband Dirk.
