Creating Change by Lobbying The Government
Why would you want to lobby your government? That is a good question. If you have ever wanted to change any policies or laws that directly impact you and your community, lobbying your government may begin the process of change. Never be fearful of speaking out and using your voice. You may be surprised to learn that many others share your feelings and beliefs. Here are a few suggestions on how to lobby your government directly.
How To Lobby: Direct Lobbying
Personal Meetings – Face-to-face contact is usually the most effective way to communicate your viewpoint, but it can be the hardest to arrange.
Telephone Conversations - Phone calls have the quality of immediacy and take less effort to arrange and less time than personal meetings do.
Individually Written Mail (including fax, email, etc) - This is the most common method of putting your views to politicians and is in the medium range of effectiveness. Mail sent to you MP or to the Prime Minister’s office does not require postage providing it is sent via Canada Post.
Individually Addressed Mass Mail - If you have gone to the trouble of writing a good letter, you may use technology such as email to address it to a number of representatives.
Mass Mail-In's - These are usually campaigns initiated by political lobby groups, where many people are asked to write to one or more politicians about an issue.
Electronic Deluges - Sometimes a lobby group will initiate a flood of phone calls, faxes or emails to a politician's office, in an attempt to demonstrate the depth of feeling on an issue.
Petitions - Politicians rarely notice Petitions due to their heavy workload, and their reading is a mere formality. If you want to build up a mailing list, circulate a petition and ask the signer “if they would like to be contacted in the future regarding this information” and this will allow you to keep their addresses. If you do not ask the signer this question you can not keep their personal information.
What is a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)
An MLA may be required to fulfill as many as four distinct roles:
The role of Legislator involves understanding the spirit of existing laws, planning new laws, and studying, discussing and then supporting or opposing the enactment of new laws.
As a Representative of his or her constituency, a Member may voice concerns on behalf of constituents, represent viewpoints, or intercede and assist in problem solving.
An MLA is also a Member of an elected party caucus. In this function, he or she may be involved in planning and orchestrating strategy in the House, supporting the caucus and its decisions, and developing expertise in given subject areas.
Depending on his/her party's political fortunes, the MLA may serve as a Cabinet Minister or Opposition Critic.
If you want to contact your MLA (member of the legislative assembly) in BC, you can find a directory in the blue pages of your phone book or you can go to their website.
www.leg.bc.ca
If you would like to get in contact with the Premier, you can email him at premier@gov.bc.ca, fax 250-387-0087 (copy all correspondence to your MLA and the opposition critic of your issue) and or mail too:
Recipient's (MLA) Name
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC
V8V 1X4
What is a Member of Parliament (MP)
Members of parliament represent the regional and local concerns of the constituents in their riding (also called electoral districts) in the Canadian House of Commons. Members of parliament also maintain a high profile in their riding and take part in local events and official functions.
If you would like to contact your MP you can find their mailing address, emailing address, phone numbers and fax numbers at: www.canada.gc.ca
If you would like to contact the Prime Minister’s office you can call 613-992-4211, Fax 613-941-6900 Email pm@pm.gc.ca (copy all correspondence to your MP and the opposition critics) or mail too:
Recipient's (MP) Name
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
The Challenge of Change:
A Study of Canada's Criminal Prostitution Laws
Report of the Standing Committee on
Justice and Human Rights
Report of the Subcommittee on
Solicitation Laws
Solicitation Report
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The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network is a non-partisan, community-based organization headquartered in Toronto. With over 200 member organizations across Canada, including frontline AIDS service organizations and people living with HIV/AIDS, we are Canada’s leading advocacy organization working on the legal and human rights issues raised by HIV/AIDS.
This is the response on behalf of the Legal Network and its members regarding “The Challenge of Change,” the report of the House of Commons Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws that was released on December 13, 2006.
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network Response
