April 18, 2019
Over Summer 2019, I will be serving as an intern for the Canadian Parliament member Joyce Murray. Murray was born in Schweizer-Reneke, South Africa. She later settled in Vancouver within the Point Gray area. Murray is married to Dirk Brinkman, who she has 1 daughter and 2 sons with. Her alma mater is Simon Fraser University. Here, she studied archaeology, linguistics, and pre-med. After earning her undergraduate degree, Murray worked towards and received an Executive Masters Degree in Business Administration. She used her extensive education to be a successful business woman who started the company Brinkman and Associates Reforestation Ltd. Her company focuses on reforestation, ecosystem restoration, urban restoration, and forest management for First Nation Communities.
Joyce Murray is a member of the liberal party. Her parties current numerical standing in Parliament is 179. The liberal party in Canada has had a wide range of major legislative objectives. In the past, the Canadian Liberal party was a centrist party that valued free markets and personal responsibility. After World War 2, the party moved towards the left. P.E Trudeau, a liberal prime minister, contributed to this leftward shift. He addressed social and economic problems during his time in a position of power. P.E Trudeau’s successors were rightward leaning economically. They wanted to lower taxes. In present day, “the modern Liberal Party portrays itself as a party that is fiscally responsible, but socially progressive. Liberals are strongly supportive of unrestricted abortion, LGBT rights, and high rates of immigration, but also favor a free market economy that is not subject to overly burdensome regulation” (Canada guide). The liberal party is to the left of conservatives but to the right of the NDP.
A large part of being a parliament member is serving on committees. Murray is currently a Parliamentary Secretary and a non-voting member on many committees. This includes: the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Standing Committee on Public Accounts,and Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. In the past, Murray was a Parliamentary Secretary and a non-voting member for the following committees: Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, Public Accounts, Government Operations and Estimates. During the 41st Parliament in the 2nd Session, Murray was the Vice-Chair for National Defence. She was also on the subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on National Defence and the National Defence. During the 40th Parliament in the 3rd Session, Murray was the Vice-Chair on the Health committee. Additionally, she was a member on the committee on Fisheries and Oceans, the committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, the committee on Health, the subcommittee on Agenda, and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Health. During the 40th Parliament in the 2nd Session, Murray was the vice-chair for the Health committee. During the 39th Parliament in the 2nd Session, she was a member of the International Trade committee.
Murray has participated in many elections, many of which ended successfully for her. In March of 2008, she won the election for Parliament member with 36.05% of the vote. In October of 2008, Murray again won the election for Parliament member. This time with 45.59% of the vote. In 2011, she was elected parliament member by 42.17% of voters. In 2015, Murray won the general election to be a parliament member with 59% of the vote. In 2015, Murray ran against Justin Trudeau as the liberal party leader. She lost and was not even appointed to his cabinet. This was highly unusual as she played such a key role in the liberal party.
Joyce Murray’s riding is Vancouver Quadra. Vancouver Quadra is located in British Columbia. According to Statistics Canada, the ethnic composition of this riding is determined from 102,740 people in Vancouver Quadra. The information was taken from the 2016 census. 2,590 have North American Aboriginal origins. 60,540 have European origins. 695 have Caribbean origins. 2,135 have Latin, Central and South American origins. 1,425 have African origins. 40,505 have Asian origins. 990 have Oceania origins. According to the elections in 2019 which determined the Parliament member for the 42nd Parliament, the following is the percent of people that voted for each party. These statistics will convey the general political composition on Vancouver Quadra. 58.7% of voted for the Liberal Party. 25.83% voted for the CPC. 10.85% voted for the NDP. 4.21% voted for the GP. 0.16% voted for the PPCA. 0.12% voted for the MP. 0.11% voted independently.
The most recent press coverage about Joyce Murray is centered around her relationship with Justin Trudeau and the current scandal surrounding him. In an article called “Joyce Murray is Toughing it out”, she comments on those who recently resigned from working under Trudeau’s government. Murray acknowledged the immense pressure caucus members face and the different perspectives on events that they each hold. Additional news about Murray has been concerned about her son. Murray’s son was on his honeymoon in Mexico when he fell from a height and received critical injuries. He was evacuated to Vancouver for treatment. Murray received a lot of public support and well-wishes after this event took place.
In another article “Justin Trudeau defends Trans Mountain takeover as vital economic move” Joyce Murray is asked her opinion of the political risks for liberals as a result of the Trans Mountain pipeline takeover. Murray addressed the unpopularity of this decision and stated that “they took a decision that was reflecting a broader interest”. There is a concern the voters will view her unfavorably as a result of this decision even though she was publically strangely against it. In the article “Joyce Murray is Toughing it out” she also comments on the Trans Mountain takeover saying: “I am concerned about the marine environment, our southern resident killer whale population and the opposition of Indigenous people. That is the solid opinion of the majority in my riding”. There is speculation that her outspoken opinion on this topic is part of the reason she does not hold a cabinet position.
Many articles were written about Murray when she ran against Trudeau for the leader of the liberal party. One article, written in 2012, is called “B.C. MP Joyce Murray launches Liberal leadership bid. ” This article includes Murray’s argument about why she is the best candidate for liberal party leader. She argues her background as a former environmental minister and a successful business woman “leaves her uniquely positioned to balance environmental sustainability and economic growth”. Murray also talks about the need of cooperation with the other parties and how she would be the best person to initiate it. Murray was unsuccessful in this election and lost to Justin Trudeau.
In conclusion, the parliamentary member I will be interning for over the Summer is a very impressive and well accomplished woman. Joyce Murray is a liberal with a passion to protect the environment and indigenous people. She has implemented numerous policies that fulfill that goal. I am excited to work with her and learn more about how she got to this level in her career. Hopefully in the future partly as a result of her guidance, I will also be an impressive and well-accomplished woman who has made a significant impact in the fight against climate and inequality.
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