MPS BACK IN RIDINGS FOR THE SUMMER
On June 17th, Parliament was adjourned for summer break and Members of Parliament headed home to their ridings. MPs will continue to work out of their constituency offices until mid-September. This is exciting as it means your MP is more available to communicate with you on key issues.
You do not have to be a political science student or even overly knowledgeable about the most recent bills and motions: Anyone can contact their MP and every one of us should! It makes a real difference and is an important way you can stand on guard for Canada.
Here are some tips....
CONTACT YOUR MP TODAY!
Contacting your Member of Parliament is one of the most powerful ways you can exercise your democratic rights and have your say on a variety of issues. Because you are the one who has the power to elect your MP, your opinion matters to them.
There are various ways you can get in touch with your Member of Parliament:
In-Person Visits:
Without a doubt, the most effective way to influence your MP is to visit them in person. Do not be intimidated: Your MP's job is to represent you in Parliament and the only way they can represent you well is if they know who you are and where you stand.
Please click here for simple tips and step-by-step instructions that make visiting your MP easy.
We highly encourage you to take the first steps toward planning an in-person visit today!
E-mails and/or letters:
In addition to a meeting, or if you are unable to do so, you can also share your perspectives and concerns with your MP through e-mail or a mailed letter.
Click here to find your MP's e-mail or mailing address.
Click here to use an EasyMail tool to send your MP pre-written letters on a variety of issues.
SOME IMPORTANT TIPS:
1) Get educated. Please visit MYC's homepage and scroll down to browse our most recent National Updates or visit our Featured Issue pages to become informed about the issues that matter most to you.
2) Be professional. Be authentic. Whether in person or in writing, be professional in all correspondence with your MP. Additionally, be authentic; It goes a long way. Share your story. Share your passions. Share your reasons. MPs consistently tell us that it is the personal stories of Canadians that make the greatest impression on them.
3) Honour their time. MPs are busy, so be prepared and be concise. Focus on addressing one issue per correspondence or one or two issues per visit. Remember, you can visit/write them more than once! Showing up on time and leaving on time goes a long way in ensuring they will be excited to meet with you again in the future should you return to speak to them about an issue.
4) Be honouring, respectful, and polite. No matter what your MP's views on current issues, always speak in a tone of honour and respect. Your message will be better received.
CURRENT ISSUES TO DISCUSS:
Here are a few important issues you may want to discuss with your MP.
Bill C-225 - Cassie and Molly's Law
Bill C-225 seeks to make it a criminal offence to kill or injure a pre-born child while committing a crime against its mother, and would fill a void in current Canadian law. This bill does not affect abortion rights but would protect both pregnant women and their wanted pre-born babies. Bill C-225 will face debate and vote this fall and is absolutely worth discussing with your MP. Please encourage your MP to vote to support Bill C-225.
Click here for more information on this bill.
Motion 47 - Violent and Explicit Sexual Content
MP Arnold Viersen has put forth Motion 47 which calls on the Standing Committee on Health to study the effects of the ease of access of online violent and degrading sexually explicit material on children, women and men. We believe that this study will result in greater restrictions on pornography in Canada.
Please visit this page to learn more about M-47 now.
Abortion
Did you know that a woman can legally abort her baby in Canada right up until the moment it is born? Canada is the only democracy in the world without abortion legislation. Both the Liberal and NDP party leaders have declared that MPs from these parties must vote pro-choice on all abortion-related bills and motions. This is very concerning!
Please visit WeNeedaLaw for talking points on this issue and ask your MP to protect pre-born babies.
There are many other issues to discuss with your Member of Parliament. You can find out more by visiting 4mycanada.ca and checking out our "Issues, Bills and Motions" page.
YOU CAN DO IT!!
Aside from praying for Canada and its leaders, visiting or contacting your Member of Parliament is one of the most significant things you can do to take a stand for righteousness in Canada. Every action you take makes a big difference!
