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Take Action

Writing Letters to Local and National Newspapers

Writing letters to newspapers is extremely helpful. Newspaper editors, like politicians, need to know what people are thinking about regarding the issues facing Canada's Pacific coast.  The editorial section is often the first page politicians turn to.

Remember:
Keep your letter short and to the point – less than 150 words is preferable.  Your letter should carry its most important message in the first few sentences. Make your letter timely – if you have just returned from a trip to the Great Bear Rainforest or if it is a reaction to a previous story in the paper. Include contact information so that you can be reached during the day and the evening. Don’t be afraid to tell readers what you want them to do - this is your chance to speak your mind.

Links to some of the main Canadian national and BC newspapers:

National Newspapers

 

 

B.C. Newspapers

Writing a Letter to Elected Officials in British Columbia

Finding your BC Member of Parliament

It is very important to copy your letter to other sources. For example, if you write a letter to Premier Campbell, copy the letter to one or more cabinet ministers and a newspaper.

Hon. Christy Clark Premier of British Columbia Email: premier@gov.bc.ca Mailing address:  Room 156 Parliament Buildings Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4 Phone: 250-387-1715 Fax: 250-356-6176	Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations Hon. Steve Thomson Email:  Steve.Thomson,mla@leg.bc.ca Mailing Address: Room 137 Parliament Buildings Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4 Phone: 250-387-6240 Fax: 250-387-1040
Minister of Environment Hon. Terry Lake E-mail: env.minister@gov.bc.ca            Mailing Address: PO BOX 9339 STN POV GOVT Victoria, B.C. V8W 9M1 Phone: 250 387-1187 Fax: 250 387-1356

Federal Government

The marine environment falls under Federal jurisdiction in Canada. To write a letter about the proposed tanker moratorium being lifted write to:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper Email: pm@pm.gc.ca Mailing Address: House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Minister of Fisheries & Oceans, The Hon. Gail Shea Email: Shea.G@parl.gc.ca Mailing Address: Room 259 West Block, House of Commons Ottawa, K1A 0A6 Telephone: 613 992 9223

Minister of Natural Resources Canada The Hon. Christian Paradis Email: Paradis.C@parl.gc.ca Mailing Address: House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Telephone: (613) 996-7046 Fax: (613) 992-0851 Constituency Offices: 86 Main Street East (Main Office) Milton, Ontario L9T 1N3 Telephone: (905) 693-0166 Fax: (905) 693-0704

Sample text: Below is some sample text for a letter or email to the Prime Minister. Make sure to personalize it — it's you're chance to speak up!

Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper,

I strongly oppose bringing crude oil to the Great Bear Rainforest.

The proposed plan to build a crude oil pipeline from the Alberta tar sands to the North Coast is the wrong choice for British Columbia. Allowing this pipeline to be built and oil tanker traffic in the pristine waters of the Great Bear Rainforest would undermine the conservation gains already made and the way of life of the coastal First Nations people.

More than 80 percent of British Columbians oppose crude oil tanker traffic on the North Coast and the coastal First Nations have declared a ban under their traditional laws. This project would be a major, long-term investment in dirty oil development at a time when B.C. and Canada should be investing in the clean energy economy.

We have the opportunity to set an example here. To show how we deal with the last few wild places on our planet and more importantly, for how we honour and respect the rights and traditions of First Nations and all indigenous people. I strongly urge you to have the foresight and ingenuity to move forward with a plan that will move British Columbia, and Canada, into the future instead of clinging to the status quo.

Thank you for your time.

 

Sincerely,

Name
Address
Phone