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Send
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Email
Letter Writing Tips
Be
respectful. They are more likely to listen to your
point if it is not accompanied by abuse.
Tell
them something about yourself. A simple phrase such
as “I have lived in (name of town/city) for the past 10
years and have two children.”
Be
concise. Write on only one issue at a time, and clearly
state your point early in the letter. Try to keep the letter
to one page.
Make
sure you are writing to the correct person. Consider
whether the issue is a federal or provincial one. Consider which
cabinet minister is responsible for the issue.
Request
that a particular action be taken. A request such as
“Please pass the legislation immediately that will keep
oil wells out of our parks” has much more authority than
“Please bare in mind the potential conflict between resource
and natural values”.
Aim
for the public interest. Explain why you think your
request will benefit the public as a whole, not simply you and
your friends.
Get
the facts right. You do not have to have all of the
facts (much less recite them all), but the ones you put in your
letter must be correct. Do not let the fact that you are not
an expert prevent you from voicing your opinion.
Express
yourself naturally. Remember that this is your expressing
what is on your mind. You do not have to sound like Lincoln
or Churchill.
Ask
for a reply. The best closing sentence is “I
look forward to receiving your response”.
Consider
if you should send a copy of the letter to anyone else.
We at FACT are also always happy to receive copies of the letters
you send to elected officials.
[adapted
from: credit]
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