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Advice on contacting your MP
I recently received an email asking me to talk about constituent engagement. For instance, what is the best way for constituents to engage with their MP. The questioner also asked which is the best: does a constituent contact the MP, Cabinet ministers, opposition critics, or all three?
My first message would be that voices count. If someone takes the time to call an MP office or to write a letter to the MP, it will have an impact. If a lot of people write on the same issue, it will have more impact. I have seen policies change and highway routes altered because of constituent letters and contacts. Never underestimate the power of your voice.
My second thought is that every MP is different based on their background. Before politics I was in the restaurant business and the car business, both of which require a high level of customer service to succeed. I took constituents enquiries personally and I made a point of returning every single phone call that got to me. I didn’t always reach the person, but I can say that I returned every call over a thirty-year period. In addition, my staff returned calls that came to the office as well. We all had the same staff policy on returning calls. In any case, the MPs are there to help you with your government issues.
Another level of contact is to call the MP office and make an appointment to sit across the table from your elected MP. If you do this, I urge you to prepare your presentation so that your request is clear. I found that many people had a hard time telling me what the problem or concern is. We would spend a long time talking and I still wouldn’t know what the issue was. Ensure that your concerns are clear and the action that you want is specific. If you are able, put a summary of the concern on paper for the MP.
I suggest that you also write down all of your contact information and the people you have already contacted regarding the problem. Bring your documents if there are any as well as other backup information.
Most federal government departments have a contact where the MP office can handle constituent issues directly. These contacts are usually well placed within the department and can move your issue forward faster than going through all of the government 1-800 numbers and “Download the App and follow the links”… which often do not work.
MPs are provided good resources and staff. They can usually help resolve your government issues. No guarantees, but chances are they can move your case forward quicker than you can on your own.
Part of the question I received was “How can we convince an MP to vote in a different fashion.”After discussions in caucus, members of parties generally vote together when a bill or motion comes to Parliament. However, if you provide your MP with credible information on a subject, that MP can then take it to caucus and help change the direction of the party vote. If enough MPs raise the same issue in caucus, it will make a difference and possibly change the direction.
I always found it interesting to watch comments in Caucus. If there was a divergent opinion from the Atlantic supported by a couple of divergent comments from Ontario and a couple from the Western provinces, all supporting the divergent view, they would have an impact and the vote or the “Bill” might change. Again, voices count.
Traditionally there has been a lot more cooperation “across the floor” than one sees on TV. I can say that some of the most important accomplishments I made were when I was in “Opposition.”When you are an MP on the government side, you have better access to ministers and can often deal directly with them. However, when an MP is in “opposition,” the best approach might be to deal with the officials in the department. I found that both approaches worked.
If you have an issue, the most important thing is to meet with your MP, or key staff of the MP, and present your case clearly. Parliament sits in Ottawa 8 to 9 months a year, so the MP may not be available. Often meeting with an MP’s staff can help resolve the problem even before the MP finds out about it.
If I was going to send a letter to a federal minister, I would also send a copy to my local MP as well. Minsters get hundreds of letters each week and most will be dealt with by staff. By sending a letter to both the minister and the MP, it increases your chances of getting a response and some action.
In dealing with governments, persistence is very important. I’ve dealt with some issues for 20 years before I accomplished my goal. Persistence and repeat calls for action are sometimes necessary to finally get the ball rolling on your issue. Be respectful but be persistent in your requests for action. Persistence works.
Those are my thoughts on how to deal with MPs and their offices. If you have any specific questions on how to approach an MP, I’ll certainly try to answer them.
My first message would be that voices count. If someone takes the time to call an MP office or to write a letter to the MP, it will have an impact. If a lot of people write on the same issue, it will have more impact. I have seen policies change and highway routes altered because of constituent letters and contacts. Never underestimate the power of your voice.
My second thought is that every MP is different based on their background. Before politics I was in the restaurant business and the car business, both of which require a high level of customer service to succeed. I took constituents enquiries personally and I made a point of returning every single phone call that got to me. I didn’t always reach the person, but I can say that I returned every call over a thirty-year period. In addition, my staff returned calls that came to the office as well. We all had the same staff policy on returning calls. In any case, the MPs are there to help you with your government issues.
Another level of contact is to call the MP office and make an appointment to sit across the table from your elected MP. If you do this, I urge you to prepare your presentation so that your request is clear. I found that many people had a hard time telling me what the problem or concern is. We would spend a long time talking and I still wouldn’t know what the issue was. Ensure that your concerns are clear and the action that you want is specific. If you are able, put a summary of the concern on paper for the MP.
I suggest that you also write down all of your contact information and the people you have already contacted regarding the problem. Bring your documents if there are any as well as other backup information.
Most federal government departments have a contact where the MP office can handle constituent issues directly. These contacts are usually well placed within the department and can move your issue forward faster than going through all of the government 1-800 numbers and “Download the App and follow the links”… which often do not work.
MPs are provided good resources and staff. They can usually help resolve your government issues. No guarantees, but chances are they can move your case forward quicker than you can on your own.
Part of the question I received was “How can we convince an MP to vote in a different fashion.”After discussions in caucus, members of parties generally vote together when a bill or motion comes to Parliament. However, if you provide your MP with credible information on a subject, that MP can then take it to caucus and help change the direction of the party vote. If enough MPs raise the same issue in caucus, it will make a difference and possibly change the direction.
I always found it interesting to watch comments in Caucus. If there was a divergent opinion from the Atlantic supported by a couple of divergent comments from Ontario and a couple from the Western provinces, all supporting the divergent view, they would have an impact and the vote or the “Bill” might change. Again, voices count.
Traditionally there has been a lot more cooperation “across the floor” than one sees on TV. I can say that some of the most important accomplishments I made were when I was in “Opposition.”When you are an MP on the government side, you have better access to ministers and can often deal directly with them. However, when an MP is in “opposition,” the best approach might be to deal with the officials in the department. I found that both approaches worked.
If you have an issue, the most important thing is to meet with your MP, or key staff of the MP, and present your case clearly. Parliament sits in Ottawa 8 to 9 months a year, so the MP may not be available. Often meeting with an MP’s staff can help resolve the problem even before the MP finds out about it.
If I was going to send a letter to a federal minister, I would also send a copy to my local MP as well. Minsters get hundreds of letters each week and most will be dealt with by staff. By sending a letter to both the minister and the MP, it increases your chances of getting a response and some action.
In dealing with governments, persistence is very important. I’ve dealt with some issues for 20 years before I accomplished my goal. Persistence and repeat calls for action are sometimes necessary to finally get the ball rolling on your issue. Be respectful but be persistent in your requests for action. Persistence works.
Those are my thoughts on how to deal with MPs and their offices. If you have any specific questions on how to approach an MP, I’ll certainly try to answer them.