Take Action

The most effective way to find out your MP’s views on harm reduction and supervised consumption sites is to meet with them and ask! You can often find your MP at a community event, or you can reach out to their office and ask for a meeting.Meeting them in person to discuss this issue is the most effective way to get your point across and have it remembered. But if you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you could still reach out to them in other ways:

• Speak to them on the phone (and leave them a message if you don’t reach them)
• Write them a letter or email
• Engage with them on social media

Make sure they know your position — and let them know this issue is important to you!

Here are some tips to make sure that your interactions with your MP is positive and effective.

Before the meeting

• Be flexible in your timing in arranging a meeting with your MP; they often have competing priorities.
• Prepare yourself with information about the topic. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to know the basics about how and why these health services help people. Remember that you’re speaking to them as a concerned citizen! You can find more information on our drug policy page.
• If you are meeting your MP at their office, consider bringing a friend to support you.
• Think about two or three of the most important things you want to say to get your point across.

During the meeting

• Introduce yourself.
• Be clear and concise. An MP might not have a lot of time to meet, and by getting straight to the point you can communicate your message effectively.
• Illustrate your issues with examples and explain why they should be concerned.
• Tell them why this issue matters to you. It’s okay to speak from the heart. Do you know and love someone who has been affected by the overdose crisis? Are you concerned for public health and the safety of your community members?
• Ask your MP questions and ask them for concrete actions or a commitment.
• Give your MP the downloadable fact sheet and leave it with them — it’s good for them to have some information to consider after the conversation, and it helps support your case.
• If they want further information, you can offer to send them resources after the meeting. You can also refer them to the Legal Network.
• Be polite. MPs might not be experts on this topic. Use this opportunity to teach them — you never know what this positive conversation with you could inspire them to do in future!

After the meeting

• If you like, you can follow up with a thank-you message to your MP for taking the time to talk to you. This is also a great opportunity to send your candidate more relevant information about supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites, or to link them to our website.
• Feel free to get in touch with us at the Legal Network to let us know how you found the experience and if you think we should follow up with the MP. Email Emma at eriach@aidslaw.ca.

Please sign our petition asking the political party leaders to support supervised consumption services.

SIGN THE PETITION

A democracy is about electing people who represent our views. Regardless of whether or not you voted for that particular person, they work for you.

By helping to secure supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites across Canada, you are helping to save lives.

Thank you for your passion, commitment and dedication!