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Joyce MurrayCanadian "tree planter", politician and statesman
Date of Birth: 11.07.1954
Country:  Canada |
Content:
Joyce Marilyn Murray: Trailblazing Canadian Politician and Environmentalist
Joyce Marilyn Murray is a remarkable Canadian politician, environmentalist, and former "tree planter." Her illustrious career spans various roles, including Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Minister of Digital Government, and President of the Treasury Board of Canada.
Childhood and Education
Joyce Murray was born on July 11, 1954, in Schweizer-Reneke, South Africa. Her family immigrated to Canada in 1961, settling in Vancouver. Her father, Gordon Murray, founded a surveying firm, and her mother, Charlotte Coe Murray, became the first female assistant professor at the University of British Columbia's School of Architecture.
Murray holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University. In 1979, she co-founded Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd. (B&ARL), an international reforestation company. Under her leadership, B&ARL planted over 1.6 billion trees, with Murray personally planting over 500,000 seedlings in 25 years.
Political Career
Provincial Politics:Murray entered politics in 2001 as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, serving until 2005. She held the portfolios of Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection and Minister of Management Services under Premier Gordon Campbell's government.
Federal Politics:
Murray was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party of Canada in the Vancouver Quadra riding in 2008. She has been a strong advocate for environmental protection, particularly in opposing oil tanker traffic along British Columbia's northern coast and supporting the legalization and regulation of cannabis.
Murray's federal cabinet appointments have included Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board (2015), President of the Treasury Board (2019), Minister of Digital Government (2019), and Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard (2021).
Environmental Advocacy
Murray's deep commitment to environmentalism is evident in her unwavering support for reforestation and sustainable practices. As Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, she is responsible for implementing policies to protect marine ecosystems and support sustainable fisheries.
Personal Life
Joyce Murray resides in Vancouver with her husband, Dirk Brinkman, whom she married in 1977. They have three children: two sons and a daughter. Her eldest son, Baba Brinkman, is a renowned rap artist. She also has five grandchildren. Murray's passion for environmental conservation continues to inspire her work and advocacy both at home and abroad.
