Write A letter or an Email
Why Write?
- Encourage specific action on an issue or topic with letters and emails.
- Remind officials about the opinions and beliefs of the people residing in their riding.
- Raise awareness of a specific issue or topic.
- Offer support or encouragement if an action or program aligns with PAA’s mission and vision.
- Initiate a relationship and open avenues for discussion.
- Act as a voice for psychology in Alberta.
How to Write?
To start, make sure you address the letter correctly to show respect.
Some quick pointers:
- Be direct, avoid rambling and filler words try to keep the letter to one page
- Be accurate and informative
- Be courteous but constructive
- Be political
- Ask questions about current policies and practices if necessary
- Be available for a follow-up call or a meeting
- Timely matters will receive more attention
- If requested, send copies of your resources, research, and data. If they play a key role in your advocacy initiative, highlight them in your letter or email.
- Personalize your message. Highlight why the initiative is close to your heart.
- Send a copy to PAA. We love to share your effort and draw attention to your cause.
Follow up at a later time. Acknowledge all responses with appreciation.
Consider identifying yourself as a constituent and a voter. Officials are compelled to engage with their voters.
If you are asking for a meeting, make sure to CC the MLA’s or Minister’s scheduling assistant/coordinator to help ensure the meeting request is seen. This information can be tricky to locate. The ministers can be found here: choose the relevant minister. Select Learn More and then Contact.
Letter/Email Template Members of a Provincial Legislative Assembly
Legislature Office
[Date]
[Your Address]
Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss/Mx. [First Name Last Name] M.L.A.
[Room, or Floor]
9820 – 107 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5K 1E7
OR
[Office Number] Legislature Building
10800 – 97 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Salutation: Dear [Title and Last Name]
Opening Paragraph: Introduce yourself, use your title if applicable, as a constituent of the MLA. Explain your concern in brief and why you are writing to the MLA today. Limit the number of concerns to one per letter.
Middle Paragraph(s): Underscore the importance of this concern or issue. Use data or government documents to provide context and build credibility. Include an example of how addressing this issue will impact your community or a short personal anecdote.
Last Paragraph: Thank the reader for the time they took to read your email or letter. Restate the issue or concern you brought up. Include a method for the MLA to contact you and request a response.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
OR
Your signature line
Letter/Email Template for Provincial Cabinet Ministers
Legislature Office
[Date]
[Your Address]
The Honourable
[Full Name], M.L.A.
Minister of [Fill Ministry Here]
[Office Number] Legislature Building
10800 – 97 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Salutation: The Honourable [ Last Name]
Opening Paragraph: Introduce yourself, use your title if applicable, as a constituent of the Minister. Explain your concern in brief and why you are writing to the Minister today. Limit the number of concerns to one per letter.
Middle Paragraph(s): Underscore the importance of this concern or issue. Use data or government documents to provide context and build credibility. Include an example of how addressing this issue will impact your community or a short personal anecdote.
Last Paragraph: Thank the reader for the time they took to read your email or letter. Restate the issue or concern you brought up. Include a method for the Minister to contact you and request a response.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
OR
Your signature line
When the Ministers or MLA’s are not at their Legislature Offices, they can be contacted at their Constituency Offices.
Find addresses on the Alberta Assembly website. Remember to put in your postal code to find your MLA!
The schedule for sessions for 2022 can be found here…
Resources
- PAA Effective Advocacy with Elected Official webinar presentation slides – download
- PAA Effective Advocacy Tip Sheet – download
- PAA Advocacy Toolkit – download
- Example of Access Advocacy in relation to Extended Health Insurance Providers – download
- APA Call to Action – download
- CSAE letter template for Parliamentary Secretaries re: funding for Canadian Associations – download
- Parliamentary Secretary contact list – download
- Framing C19: Making a Powerful Case for the Role of Government – download
- Alberta Counsel – on twitter @albertacounsel; visit their website; subscribe to their e-newsletter The NEWS.
- Alberta Counsel. (2020 March). Alberta’s Pandemic Response – Aggressive and Deliberate. The NEWS: Alberta’s Premier Review of Politics and Government Vitality, Issue 103. – download here
- APA – Combating Bias and Stigma Related to COVID-19 – download here
- PAA’s Advocacy Work 2020 Advocacy