Nursing and the Political Agenda

Make Your Views Known

All politicians want to keep their finger on the public’s pulse – they want to be kept informed and to hear what people are thinking. So Canadians should not hesitate to bring their views, positions and arguments to the attention of political representatives and candidates.

One way to do this is by writing letters. Another is by making an in-person visit to a politician, or an appearance before a parliamentary committee. There are tried and true ways to get the attention of a politicians or political candidate, either in writing or through an in-person visit.

Tips for Successful Letter Writing

• Clearly identify yourself as a constituent.
• Identify your profession.
• Mention workplace experience if relevant.
• Identify the organization or group you are representing.
• Organize your letter to state your issue and make your argument about why the politician should be interested in it.
• Include facts and statistics and provide references.
• Be as brief as possible.
• Be polite and objective – even if you strongly disagree with a candidate’s position.
• The names and addresses of political candidates will be available from their campaign organizations.
• Members of Parliament can be written to c/o the House of Commons, Ottawa, K1A 0A6.
• Communication by e-mail is effective.

Tips for a Successful Meeting

• When asking for a meeting, state the reason why and whom you represent.
• Plan the agenda ahead of time.
• Identify the “ask” – what action do you want the politician to take?
• Limit the delegation to two or three people. Decide who will speak about what.
• Decide who will take notes during the meeting.
• Be on time!
• Explain why you are there and what you want – the “ask”.
• Use anecdotes and examples that support your position.
• Your speaking points should be mindful of the needs and special interests of the politician or political candidate.
• Be a good listener, but remember it's your meeting and you control the agenda. Bring the conversation back to why you are there.
• Once you have the support of the politician, ask for help in persuading the other politicians and the political parties.
• Don't overstay your welcome – stick to the time allotted.
• Following the meeting, debrief with your partners. Review the notes for followup responsibilities.
• Write a letter to the politician, confirming the discussion of the meeting and the commitments made. Identify a followup date.
• Send any information you may have promised.
• Followup with the politician to confirm that action promised has been taken.