Writing to Your Mla

FORMAL ASSIGNMENT: WRITING TO YOUR MLA Objective 3.3 – Communication – Develop and defend an argument using evidence.

Writing to your MLA is the easiest way to get an issue that is important to you, noticed! Although you cannot vote yet, you are still a constituent - and that means that part of your MLA's job, is to represent YOU and your views in the Legislative Assembly. In order to represent your views, your MLA needs to know what they are! So what do you think? What is important to you?

Assignment Choose a specific issue and write a letter (min. 200 words) expressing your opinion on it to your MLA. Include both your position on the issue, as well as what you’d like your MLA to do about it. Make sure to follow the instructions above.

EXAMPLE LETTER:

Judy Sanders 334 Main St. Toronto, ON M8X 3Y0

April 28, 2010

Jack Smith, M.P. House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Sir,

I would like to express my support for the definition of corporal punishment described in Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada and as recently upheld in a Supreme Court challenge. Section 43 clearly does not permit the assault of children. Instead, it clearly allows parents and guardians the freedom to use physical discipline in a reasonable and non-abusive way.

As a parent, it is distressing to hear reports of children being subjected to traumatic, forceful or confrontational removal from their home. It appears that too often officials involved in similar cases display a complete lack of respect for family autonomy. Civil servants should tread exceedingly lightly when they try to tell loving parents that they, not the parents, know what is best for the children.

It is my hope that you will take an interest in and become well informed regarding the issue of spanking and the role and impact of child welfare services. Appropriate checks and balances must be implemented quickly to ensure that children are not removed from their parents unless it is absolutely necessary. Your response on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Judy Sanders HELPFUL HINTS: Be concise. If possible keep your letter to one page. Two or three page letters may only be 'scanned' and not given the attention your opinion deserves. It will take more effort to condense your ideas into a single page, but it's worth it if you want to be read. Typing your letter will give you more room to write but it is not necessary if you have clear hand writing.

Be informative. Unfortunately, it is impossible for your member to be an expert on every issue legislators deal with. If you have expert knowledge, share it and be a part of the educational process for your member. You can't assume your member has as much information as you do, or as much time to investigate it thoroughly. All opinions expressed are important, but those from someone with real experience are a gold mine to conscientious members. You can also point out the moral issues involved. Legislators get so much mail from special interest groups that they need to hear from citizens who are primarily concerned with what seems right to them on moral grounds.

Be engaging. Communication between you and your member should be open and non- threatening. Emotional arguments or language that is demanding or aggressive will not advance your cause. While the subject may be emotion-laden, use facts and illustrations to make your point. Statements like "Vote against the bill, I'm bitterly opposed" do not help much. But a letter that says "As a parent I feel this legislation does nothing to support stronger and healthier families in Canada. Instead, our government must enact legislation that will…" says much more.

If you disagree with your legislator or are complaining about his/her actions on an issue, be mindful of the differences in opinion. Your attitude will inevitably show and it should be polite and respectful. Displaying anger or resentment in a letter will only make it easier to ignore. Your legislator will assume that you wouldn't vote for him even if he did what you ask, and you want him to think of you as a potential supporter. If you ever hope to convince your member of the rightness of your opinion you must engage him/her in dialogue and an argumentative approach will not allow that to happen.

Top Three Tips 1. Always close your letter with the line 'I look forward to your reply' or your MLA may not reply 2. You have a right to know what your MLA thinks about any issue. When you write to an MLA to tell them about an issue that's important to you, make sure you ask them to tell you what they think. 3. Politicians are very clever at saying a lot, but not actually agreeing to anything. Often their reply will say things like 'Many people have supported this very important issue' - this means absolutely nothing, because they haven't told you what they actually think! If you receive a response such as this, you should just see it as encouragement to write back to them and ask them for their specific viewpoint.