Meeting with your MLA or MP
Your MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) is your local representative in the provincial legislative assembly.
Your MP (Member of Parliament) is your local representative in the federal Parliament.
It may seem intimidating to meet with your MLA or MP, but remember that most elected representatives want to understand the concerns of their local constituents and will likely be open to meeting with you. During an election, all candidates are even more likely to want to meet with you.
The more an MLA or MP gets to know you and your family, the more likely he or she will take your concerns to the legislature when it matters most.
What will I say when I meet with my MLA or MP?
- Introduce yourself and your family.
- Depending on the issue, BCACL can provide you with speaking points and background information.
- Share your personal story. You can also bring a printed version of your story to leave wtih the MLA.
- Take a photo of your family to share.
- Talk about the other people or groups you will be discussing this meeting with. My friends and colleagues will be most interested to hear....
- Ask them how they will help and write down their answer.
- Be polite and listen carefully! Be firm but friendly. Avoid arguing and don't lecture.
- Let them know that you will be back to get the answers to your questions or to hear what he or she is doing to address your concerns.
- Thank them for meeting with you.
If you meet with your MLA or MP, BCACL would like to hear about it to inform our advocacy efforts. Please contact Karen DeLong, BCACL Director of Community Development at 604-777-9100 ext. 530 or kdelong@bcacl.org.