Writing to Elected Officials
Letters to public officials are like votes—one isn’t enough to make a difference. But when everyone does it, change is possible.
Send a message to your local elected official (mayor, chief, council member, director, etc) and your MLA to tell them what you think about current policies, plans, investments and other support for active transportation or cycling in your community, and across B.C.
Format / Media
Your can write a few paragraphs, or you can write a full letter - it’s your choice. Everything helps!
You can send your comments two different ways:
Print and mail hard copy; or
Send a letter electronically via email (preferred)
Purpose
In one or two sentences, state the purpose of your letter. Be clear that you want to express your support for a particular issue, or if it’s more broad, try to state your thoughts as short and concisely as possible.
Salutation
Dear Mayor [last name], Chief [last name] or Councillor [last name], or Director [last name]
For most MLAs: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss [Full Name Here] MLA for [constituency name]
Dear Premier [last name], or Dear Minister [last name] —for cabinet ministers
About You
Introduce yourself—unless you are being paid to represent a special interest, it's important for elected officials to know that you are a constituent, as opposed to a representative of an organization or a lobbyist.
Providing very brief background about yourself can also establish an important human connection between yourself and the elected official, which can focus their attention on the topic of the letter.
Final Thoughts & Closing
You may be upset about a particular issue, and this may be important context for a death, an injury, or risk of same, but it’s important to not direct anger (and certainly not insults or threats) towards the intended recipient of your letter. They’re real people, and they may discount or even disregard a message that is overly emotional in nature.
It can be helpful and even strategic to thank your addressee(s) for their attention on this matter, and also for their service to your community, particularly regarding any past work on the initiative or issues you address in your letter.