Getting a politician's attention

In writing:
• You don’t have to be an 'expert' to have a say. Your opinion counts.
• Remember, everyone’s time is valuable. Keep your letter or email to the point.
• Express your concern, but request a specific action if you can.
• Attach background material - an article or study summary - if you think it’s necessary to support your point.
• Politicians will (as they should) put a priority on job creation, human health, economic strength, etc - highlight the fact that these are not at odds with protecting the environment.
• Everyone likes a pat on the back. Don’t forget to commend politicians on the things they do and say that you support.
• Write one letter with a single important message and send it to a bunch of people. Carbon copy (cc) whomever else you think should see it - the Prime Minister, government Ministers and MPS, provincial or municipal representatives, journalists, etc - and send a blind copy (bcc) to the David Suzuki Foundation.
  
• Letters to federal representatives can be sent postage free to the House of Commons in Ottawa.
• Have fun with it. Get together with friends or colleagues and have a letter writing party!

On the phone:
• Phone campaigns work. Huge numbers of Canadians called their politicians about banning growth hormones (BGH) in dairy cattle in 19XX. As a direct result of this campaign, MPs spoke out in their caucuses and now BGH is banned in our country.
• While you might not get to speak directly to your elected representative, you can talk to the office staff. Ask that your position and specific request for action be forwarded to the politician.
• Here are the contact numbers for federal, provincial and municipal offices.
  
• Get others involved. There is always strength in numbers.

Face-to-face:
• Set up a meeting with your representative. In person encounters can move someone from taking a passive to an active interest. Here are the contact numbers for federal, provincial and municipal offices (links to those pages, as above).
• Make the meeting worth the time. Share new information. Keep the discussion focused and stick to your point.
• Take another informed person with you - someone who is particularly relevant to the discussion or an unexpected ally: a local business person, economist, scientist, doctor, religious or community leader, etc.
• Make sure your request is within the jurisdiction of whatever level of government the politician is capable of influencing.
• Take accurate notes. If what is said is really meaningful, share it with other people and organizations, such as the David Suzuki Foundation that would find it useful.
• Leave behind brief, well-selected background material (articles, a report, polling results, etc).
• If you can’t meet with the elected official, meet with an assistant.
• Follow up with a letter restating your position and the politician’s commitments (or lack thereof).