secure a meeting with your MP

Meeting in person or virtually with a Member of Parliament (MP) is one of the most effective ways you can make an impact. MPs need to know what their constituents care about, and they may not know much about the issues you want to raise. It is up to us, as constituents, to help them understand why these issues matter.

Meeting with your MP also helps build a relationship. Over time, that relationship can help your MP become a stronger champion in the fight to end extreme poverty.

Read more on why engaging with your MP is important.

expert tips

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.

You can find answers to frequently asked questions about international assistance on our Canadian aid page.

how to request a meeting

There are two main ways to request a meeting with your MP:

1. Send an email

You can find their email on the site de la Chambre des communes.

2. Call their office

You can find their phone number on the site de la Chambre des communes. Be sure to call the constituency office number.

Tips:

You may hear back from your MP’s staff before you hear from your MP directly. Be polite and respectful in every exchange. A good relationship with the office can make it easier to book a meeting.
Be brief and polite
Let them know you are a constituent. Include your postal code in your email so they can confirm.
Summarize what you want to talk about and ask for a time to meet in person, virtually, or by phone. Don’t worry if the office does not book a meeting right away. They may need to check the MP’s schedule and get back to you. If you do not hear back within a week, call or email again to follow up.

before the meeting

Inform yourself on the issues. Familiarisez-vous avec notre campagne, and reach out to action@resultscanada.ca for information and support as you prepare.
Inform yourself on your MP. Learn a little about your MP and what issues they care about before the meeting. You can find this info on openparliament.ca, your MP’s website, and their social media.
Prepare an agenda. If you are meeting in a group, agree on roles before the meeting. Decide who will speak, take notes, keep time, and present the call to action. Confirm the length of the meeting and any other details with your MP’s staff.
Practice. Prepare a short 2- to 3-minute introduction to the issue. This helps you explain the issue clearly while leaving time for questions and discussion. Don’t be afraid to show your passion! Consult our EPIC guidelines.
Anticipate hard questions. You will not be able to predict everything your MP may ask, and that is okay. Think about the questions or concerns that might come up, and prepare a few simple answers. If you do not know an answer, do not guess. Offer to follow up after the meeting. Contact action@resultscanada.ca – we can help you get the information you need.
Reflect on why you advocate. Personal stories are often the most compelling. If you’re comfortable, feel free to share why this issue matters to you.
Get your materials. Contact us at action@resultscanada.ca to see if we have any materials related to the topic you are discussing. You may be able to leave these with the MP so they can keep learning after the meeting.

during the meeting

Start by thanking your MP.

You can thank them for meeting with you and for any supportive actions they have taken in the past.

Introduce yourself and share your story.

Explain why this issue matters to you. Make it personal, but only share what you feel comfortable sharing.

Use the EPIC model to communicate your message clearly.

Make the issue real by pairing facts and statistics with a story to get your MP emotionally involved.

Make clear requests.

Ask your MP to take a specific action on your behalf, and ask for a response or follow-up.

Restate next steps before the meeting ends.

If your MP agrees to do something, repeat what they have agreed to do. Thank them and let them know you will follow up in 3 to 4 weeks.

Leave materials behind if you can.

Results Canada provides short summaries of our most recent campaign on our call to action page for you to print and bring to your meeting. If you are meeting about a different issue, contact action@resultscanada.ca to ask if we have any materials related to your topic.

Be conscious of time.

Confirm how much time your MP has at the beginning of the meeting and make sure the group wraps up on time.

Take a photo or a screenshot.

Ask your MP if they are comfortable taking a photo or screenshot with you. Confirm whether it can be shared on social media and whether they can be tagged.

keys to successful meetings

Dress in a way that feels respectful and comfortable. Business casual is a good guide, but you do not need formal business clothes. A clean shirt, sweater, blouse, pants, skirt, or dress are all good options. Try to avoid very casual clothing, such as sweatpants, graphic tees, or flip-flops.
Bring government-issued photo ID. You will need it to enter parliamentary buildings, and it is a good idea to bring it to any in-person meeting.
Be yourself. You are building a relationship with your MP, so introduce yourself and make some small talk when you meet.
Be respectful. Keep a diplomatic tone, even if you disagree.
Listen more than you talk.
Don’t make up things you don’t know. It’s ok if you don’t have all the answers. Acknowledge that and promise to follow up via email with more details. (If you can’t easily find the information they requested, contact us at action@resultscanada.ca and we’ll provide you with it.)

after the meeting

Report your meeting on our website.

When you report your actions, you provide Results Canada with strategic information that helps guide future engagement with MPs. This allows us to build more parliamentary support for the investments, programs, and policies that can help end extreme poverty.

Share the photo on social media if you have permission.

Share what you spoke about and thank your MP for their time. Be sure to tag your MP and Results Canada! If you prefer, send it to action@resultscanada.ca and we can help share it.

Send a thank you email.

Send an email within 24 hours of the meeting. If you promised to provide more information, include it in your message.

Follow up.

If your MP committed to do something, follow up a few weeks later if you haven’t received a response.

Continue to engage via email, social media, and other opportunities.

MPs need to hear from their constituents. Polite, respectful and steady follow-up can help build the relationship.

Congratulate yourself.

Whether this was your first MP meeting or one of many, you took meaningful action.

if you are not successful in securing a meeting

Don’t be discouraged! Sometimes it can take time to secure a meeting. Be patient, persevere, and remain respectful with your MP’s staff. You can always reach out to action@resultscanada.ca for advice and support.

You can also try reaching out to a Senator from your province with the same tips mentioned above. You can find Senators ici.