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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!

After all, kids are already doing it!

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

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 and alligning government aid with the Millennium Development Goals!

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% and declining quickly.) Learn more...

Also in 2000, Canada was one of 189 countries who signed on to achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Many of these important objectives are not on target to be met. Learn more...

Why incerase the aid budget and align it with the MDGs?
Because that can help to:

  • Feed the millions who go without food
  • Help children go to primary school
  • Increase the number of literate women and women in government
  • Help mothers give birth safely
  • Help children survive past the age of 5
  • Provide medicine and prevention for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
  • Increase access to clean water

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

Example Postcard

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A2


Dear Prime Minister Harper,

I support Canada’s participation in the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals. In particular, I support Canada’s pledge of .7% of our GNI toward fulfilling the MDGs. Please make sure that Canada does its part to ‘keep the promise.’

Sincerely,


Concerned Canadian Citizen

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."

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