Members of Parliament (MPs) need to know that people in Canada care about international assistance and how we show up for others in the world. If MPs don’t hear from their constituents about this, they won’t realize that these are issues important to them.
It’s up to us to show decision-makers that international assistance is an important priority if we want to generate the political will to end extreme poverty. Results Canada is a grassroots advocacy organization that believes in mobilizing everyday people to be civically engaged in their country and their government.
To be an effective advocate, it helps to know how the system works. Here are a few simple terms to know:
A person elected to the House of Commons. There are 343 Members of Parliament representing all of the areas of Canada in the House of Commons.
A geographical area represented by your member of the House of Commons. When you vote, you are voting for the candidates within your particular riding.
A person living in an area represented by a Member of Parliament. Because you live in your riding, you are a constituent. Your MP represents you!
“The Hill” refers to Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. This is the site of the Parliament Buildings, including where the House of Commons meets and where the offices of MPs are located.
We know it can feel intimidating to reach out to decision-makers, but it doesn’t have to be! You can educate your elected representative by providing them with the opportunity to learn about issues that concern their constituents and take action themselves in their parliamentary business.
“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
When you educate your MP, they can bring your concerns directly to government leaders. Your MP can:
MPs have a strong voice and powerful platform. The government, media, and the public listen to what they have to say. And they represent you, so it’s important that they know your priorities!
At Results, we achieve our goals through plaidoyer transformationnel. We combine the voices of our volunteer advocates with strategic areas of focus to improve policies and leverage resources.
As part of our advocacy toolkit, we offer several resources to help you reach out to your representative and build rapport. Click below to learn how to:
Secure a meeting with your MPCall your MPWrite to your MPAttend an event
Your MP needs to hear from you, and you may discover that they share your concern. But be strategic about when and how often to reach out. If you contact your MP too frequently, you risk being taken less seriously.
If you disagree with your MP on most issues and feel like they don’t represent your priorities, it is still important and beneficial to reach out. MPs have a duty to hear from their constituents and consider their priorities.
When engaging with your MP, always remember to be respectful and polite. Try and find common ground if possible and focus on the issues.
[PLACEHOLDER – EPIC model content to come] Learn more about the EPIC model.
If you don’t know who your MP is, simply type your postal code on the site de la Chambre des communes. This also provides all their contact information.
Keep an eye on our latest call to action et de sign up for our newsletter to get our suggestions on when to reach out to your MP. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions about international assistance on our Canadian aid page.
