To help ensure a future built with environmentally sustainable principles, it is essential that our governments' policies, by-laws and funding decisions support the health of the environment as a priority. 

This is where you come in. Your opinion matters and it is important you share it with our political leaders so they recognize the type of future you want and expect for your children and those to follow.

Political leaders are greatly influenced by public opinion. In fact, politicians keep close tabs on the issues constituents raise in letters, meetings, phone calls and editorial pages of local papers.

Below are some tips to help guide your communication efforts along with a listing of local, provincial and federal contacts.

LETTERS TO POLITICIANS

One letter represents more than a 1,000 opinions at the federal level. The ratio declines as you move down the levels of government. Generally, the more time and thought involved in communicating to a politician, the greater your opinion is valued.

• Letters are better mailed than faxed.
• Faxes are better than email.
• Writing is generally better than phoning
• Something is better than nothing!

Some tips...

• You do not need a long, detailed letter.
• You do not have to be an "expert".
• Request a specific action as well as expressing a concern.
• If you don't have time to write out your full position, attach an article or short summary of a study that makes your point.
• Point out that the priorities the politician has expressed about job creation, human health, a healthy economy, etcetera are not at odds with protecting the environment.
• Commend politicians for any good work and statements they make.
• Have fun! Get together with friends and food for a letter writing fest.
• Letters to federal politicians can be sent postage free to the House of Commons.
• Carbon copy (cc) the letter to other relevant people (the Prime Minister, relevant ministers, your MPs, or provincial or municipal politician, journalists, etc) and send a blind copy to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This means you only have to write one letter with the same important message and send it to everyone.

PHONE CALLS
Taking a few moments to phone your local politician can help to elevate the importance of the issue and can make a difference when it comes to their voting considerations.  If you are unable to speak with your elected representative directly, make sure the office staff forwards along your position and specific request for action. A follow-up email or call to ensure the message was receieved is always a good idea too.

MEETINGS
Face-to-face encounters with your elected officials can move him or her from taking a passive to an active interest.

Some tips...

• Share new information with them.
• Go with another informed person. If possible, a person who is particularly relevant for the discussion or an unexpected ally: a local business person, economist, scientist, doctor, religious or community leader.
• Be specific about what you want that politician to do.
• Make sure your request is within the jurisdiction of whatever level of government the politician is capable of influencing.
• Take accurate notes of what they say and commit to, and if they're really meaningful share them with other people and organizations.
• Narrow your discussion an stick to your point.
• Leave brief, well-selected back ground material (articles, a report, polling results).
• If you can't meet with your elected official, meet with his or her assistant.
• Follow up with a letter restating your position and his/her commitments (or lack thereof).

(ideas from the David Suzuki Foundation & Oakvillegreen )

CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES: 

Here are links to various elected officials  you can contact to voice your opinion:

RepLocator is a general locator provided by Halton Region. Simply enter your community name and use the pull down menu to find your address and it will provide you with contact information for your federal, provincial, regional and local elected representatives.

City of Burlington www.burlington.ca

Burlington Mayor and Councilors :  

MPP Joyce Savoline  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MP Mike Wallace  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Halton Regional Representatives:

The Regional Municipality of Halton provides Contact Information for the regional chair, mayors and regional councillors.

Provincial Representatives:

• Elections Ontario helps you to locate your electoral district and identify your representative (using your postal code, address or map).
• The Legislative Assembly of Ontario provides contact information for the Members of Provincial Parliament and identifies Ministers of various departments.

National Representatives:

• Find your Member of Parliament lets you enter your postal code and locate your representative.

• Using the Parliament of Canada website, you can see a full listing of current Members of Parliament, the Senators and Minister.