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Write Your Government

WE elect governments, and our representatives are there to represent US.

So tell them what you’re thinking…write a letter to your Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) today!

Why Write?

For every time a MP/MLAs hears about an issue, the more likely they are to take action. For every person who writes a letter, MP/MLAs assume there are many others who are concerned about that same issue.

What Do I Write About?

Some global issues you might want to write about include:increasing Canada’s foreign aid budget!

In 2000, along with other countries, the Canadian Government promised to give 0.7% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2015.  (Currently, we are at approximately 0.3%)

Why Increase The Budget?  Because that can help to:
o Feed the millions who go without food
o Help children go to primary school
o Increase the number of literate women and women in government
o Help mothers give birth safely
o Help children survive past the age of 5
o Provide medicine and prevention for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
o  Increase access to clean water

Click here to find contact information for your Canadian MP
Click here to find contact information for your Alberta MLA

MP or MLA—What’s the Difference?

An MP represents you in Federal Government.  If the issues impact the whole country, you will address your letter to your MP.  MLAs represent you in Provincial Government.  For issues that impact the province, you will contact them.

But I’m not an Expert…
You do NOT have to be an expert.  You will often know more about a particular issue than your MP/MLA - they often have a wide range of issues to investigate as part of their work, and can't be experts in all of them.

Letter Writing Tips

  • Write the letter by hand, in your own words (this makes it more personal).
  • Be polite.
  • Keep your letter short—focus on one issue per letter.
  • Use point form/bullets to highlight your arguments.
  • Include supporting facts and details to back up your case.
  • Ask the MP/MLA to do something specific in response.
  • Sign your letter personally.
  • Ask for a reply.

Example Letter

Your Name
Address
City, Province
Postal Code
Phone Number 

MP/MLAs Name
(Current Date)

Dear Mr/Mrs. (___MP/MLA First and Last Name___),

I am concerned about __________ (summarize just one issue per letter) _______________.

This affects me (and my community) because ___(summary of how it affects you—include details and evidence)__________________________.

 I would be grateful if you could ____(detail the actions that you would like the MP/ MLA to take: raise the issue in parliament, vote to pass a specific bill, etc…)____________________.

Thank you for taking the time to look into this—I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Signature

Did you write?  Let us know!  We’d love to know how many people are joining in an effort to change our world!

The Response
The MP/MLA’s reply may be personal with a promise of action (this is great!) It also may be generic. Don’t give up!  If you aren’t satisfied, write back and let your MP/MLA know.  Often, this second letter is the one that the MP/MLA reads.  

Last, but not least: if the MP/MLA does help, don't forget to say 'thank you.’