A phone call to your political representative has a lot of impact. (Credit: Jason Nicholls)
Calling the Prime Minister's office is easier than you think.
Here's how it works:
Dial (613) 992-4211. When reception answers, just ask to leave a message on the PM's voicemail. Leave a message about how you want Canada to be a leader at the UN Climate Summit this December. Less than five minutes — easy.
Then the fun begins.
Get a friend to film you while making the call and upload it to our website. Entering gives you a chance to win a personal call from David Suzuki and some great winter gear from Mountain Equipment Co-op.
Don't have time to call? Send a letter instead.
Political leaders earn their positions from votes. They care about public opinion and keep close tabs on issues constituents raise in letters, meetings, phone calls and editorial pages of local papers. Your opinion matters.
Here are some general tips on letting your political reps know what you think:
Write a letter or email
- Keep it short.
- Request a specific action.
- Attach documents that support your point.
- Link that politician's platform (e.g. job creation, health, economy, etc) to conservation — it's all connected!
- Commend any good work.
- Send copies to other relevant officials, journalists, and to the David Suzuki Foundation.
Make a call
- Be specific.
- Don't be discouraged. If you can't reach an elected official, talk to the office staff.
- Ask that your position or request be forwarded to the politician.
- Contact friends, neighbours and colleagues to call in, too.
Set up a meeting
- A face-to-face encounter can move an elected official to active interest.
- If the politician is unavailable, meet with an assistant.
- Keep your discussion short and to the point.
- Go with an ally — a local business person, scientist, religious or community leader.
- Take accurate notes and share these with interested people and organizations.
- Leave brief background materials (articles, a report, polling results).
- Follow-up with a letter or email re-stating your position and the official's commitments.
