What can you do to help?

A number of Canadians have asked how they can help to pass effective animal cruelty legislation. There are a number of things you can do, but the most helpful is to write to your Member of Parliament, Senators, and Justice Minister Rob Nicholson. We would like MPs and Senators to do the following:

• Indicate that they wish to join an all-party team of MPs and Senators in support of the general principles of C-373.

• Indicate that they oppose Bill S-213, the bill introduced by Senator John G. Bryden, which is inadequate and is a diversionary tactic.

• Urge the government to introduce a government bill based on C-373.

To find your Member of Parliament and his or her contact information, enter your postal code at this location.

To find Senators, visit this page for the general address and click on "Current Senators" and their biographies for their names and other information.

To find contact information for Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and other ministers, visit this web page.

When writing to an MP, Senator, or Minister, it is essential to include a complete return address. A paper letter is usually taken more seriously than an e-mail, because many MPs receive several hundred e-mails a day. MPs often only have the resources to reply to their own constituents.

Petitions:

A petition is a document signed by individual Canadians and formally presented in the House of Commons by an MP. Although the government is required to respond in writing to the MP presenting the petition, it doesn't compel the government in any way. A petition is less effective than direct contact with your MP, but it is still a useful way for Canadians to indicate their support for a particular government action. In order for a petition to be presented in the House of Commons, it must be certified by a clerk at the House. Photocopied signatures or electronic petitions cannot be certified. Recently the rules for petitions have been relaxed, and an outline of these can be found on this website.

Letters to newspapers:

Many metropolitan and community newspapers will publish letters to the editor. In general, you must be short and to the point. Some publications limit letters to a maximum of 200 words, though the number of words varies greatly from publication to publication and depending on the topic. Check the guidelines in your paper. It is easier to be published in a community newspaper than a major metropolitan daily. You should always sign your letter and give complete contact information including a telephone number, as some publications will verify that you are in fact the writer. Many publications now accept letters by e-mail, but you should still provide complete contact information and not just an e-mail address.