Writing to your Member of Parliament (MP) is a simple and effective way to make your voice heard. MPs need to hear from their constituents, and that includes you. They rely on the people they represent to help them understand which issues matter most.
A letter or email does not need to be long. What matters is that your message is personal, clear, and connected to a specific action you want your MP to take.
Your MP receives many messages each week on a wide range of issues. Your message can stand out because you are their constituent and because you are taking the time to write in your own words.
Read more on why engaging with your MP is important.
To find the phone number of your Member of Parliament (MP), go to the site de la Chambre des communes, type in your postal code or the name of your MP, then look under the contact section.
Your MP needs to hear from you, but be strategic about when and how often you reach out. If you contact your MP too frequently, you risk being taken less seriously.
Many MPs respond to letters and emails from constituents. They may also forward your request to the relevant decision-maker, such as a Minister or even the Prime Minister, even if they disagree with you.
Your message gives them a chance to learn about an issue that matters to their constituents.
“The reason it’s important to engage us [parliamentarians] is because we don’t know everything...it’s how we learn... If you engage your MP and you do it in a constructive way, then you can actually help members of parliament really understand the issues... So talk to your MPs!”
– MP Anita Vandenbeld
Sometimes it may be more strategic to write directly to other decision-makers. The tips below can also help with those letters.
Some Results Canada actions may focus on a specific decision-maker, such as the Secretary of State for International Development, a Minister, the Prime Minister, or the heads of key international institutions, such as the World Bank.
In many cases, it is still more effective to write to your MP first. MPs often forward letters from constituents to the relevant person in government. A message forwarded by an MP can carry more weight than one sent by a concerned person.
The best approach depends on the issue, the campaign, and the structure of Parliament at the time. Results Canada will guide you through our monthly calls to action and let you know who to contact. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated.
MPs and their staff have told us that an original letter from one committed constituent is more powerful than a pile of identical messages. Template letters and mass email actions can have less impact because the MP knows the sender may have only clicked a button.
A personal, well-informed letter shows your MP that someone in their riding cares enough to take the time to write. It also helps them understand why the issue matters to you.
You do not need to start from scratch. You can use our suggested layout for letters and emails to MPs to help organize your message.
Every MP is different. Some are happy to correspond with constituents via email, whereas others prefer mailed letters. But rest assured that both methods of communication work, so do what’s right for you!
You can type or handwrite a physical letter to send to your MP. The easiest postal address is their Parliament address. Simply address it like this:
MP’s full name
Chambre des communes
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Mailing a letter to an MP is free so you don’t need a stamp. If your MP is not in Parliament when the letter arrives, the mail will be forwarded to them.
To find the email address of your MP, go to the site de la Chambre des communes and type in your postal code. You can then visit your MP’s profile and find their email address.
If this is your first letter to your MP, start by introducing yourself and sharing why you care about the issue that you are raising. If you have a personal connection to the topic of your letter, this is a great way to engage your MP and convey your passion and commitment. Remember to acknowledge your MP for any supportive actions that they may have already taken – MPs rarely hear the words “thank you” from their constituents.
The acronym “EPIC” is a useful way to remember how to structure the main part of your letter or email. After the introductory paragraph, follow this structure.
Be clear on how they can get in touch with you. A written response by mail or email is ideal!
Pressing “send” or putting your letter in the mail is not the end of your action! A few simple follow-up steps can help your message go further.
You’re amazing! You have taken a meaningful action to help generate the political will to end poverty.
If you wrote a letter, you can take a photo of yourself mailing it and share it on social media. If you sent an email, you can share a short excerpt or explain why you wrote. Make sure to tag your MP and Results Canada.
If you haven’t received an acknowledgement after 3 weeks or so, call your MP’s office to confirm they received your letter or email. You can find your MP’s phone number on the site de la Chambre des communes.
Fill out the signaler to let Results Canada know you wrote to your MP and if you receive a response so that the information can be compiled.
Knowing that you took action helps us show that there is grassroots support for the issue. There is also an annual merit badge for volunteers who take on a certain number of parliamentary actions, so we want to hear about it!
Even if your MP’s response isn’t what you hoped for, or you don’t receive a response, your action still matters. Real change doesn’t happen overnight. Each letter or email adds to the number of people in Canada calling for change.
You may have planted a seed that can grow through future conversations with your MP. Every action strengthens the movement. By writing your letter or email, you have taken part in that collective effort.
There are many ways to stay connected with your MP. You can:
