Getting Involved Isn’t That Hard to do!

What is one thing I can do to get involved?

The easiest thing to do for the individual is to write a letter to, or call, your MP.  They need to hear from their constituents that you are not happy with Canada’s current EI system and it needs to be changed.  It doesn’t have to be a long letter, or eloquent, just to the point.  Check under the resources tab for some tools that may help you.

Should I write the Prime Minister or my MP, who is the more important one to hear my opinion?

You should write them both!  If you can, if not, your local MP will probably give you more of their time.  In fact it is debatable what the “magic number” of influx of letters to the PM would have to be before he is brought into an issue.  In saying that though, if you can send both it helps not only that your local MP knows your opinion and can start a file of constituents that feel the same way(they will do this to see how much of their base wants the same changes you do, this is why it’s important to tell them of your ideas but also get your friends, relatives and neighbours to do the same) but it will also help build to that “magic number” that may get the Prime Minister’s attention.

But what do I say?

Well, talk about how bad EI is in this country, they need to hear from Canadians about their experiences.  Check out the resource page for our talking points to help you in your letter writing.  Personal stories are always the best though, in fact if you have a personal story to share, please email it to admini@eireform.ca

Okay, I wrote a letter to the PM and my MP, now what?

Another great place to start your EI activism is by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.  Using our 6 steps to writing a letter to the editor (under the resources tab) you can find the best tips for getting yourself in print.  Combine that with our talking points around the EI issue and you may find yourself published very soon!

I’ve done all that, am I done yet?

Not by a long shot!  There is so much work to be done around the issue of EI reform we won’t get anywhere unless you keep at it.  How about downloading a copy of our EI petition (under resources tab) and circulating it in your workplace, neighbourhood or social group?  Once you have filed out as many as you can (the more the better), send them in to your local MP and start showing him/her how important this issue is to many of his/her constituents.

Is there no end in sight?

Right now we have to concentrate on making these reforms, we need government to listen and until that happens we can’t even begin to think we are near the end of this fight.  Look for demonstrations in your area and let us know if you hear or attend, or better yet, organize one.  Send us pictures, podcasts of guest speakers, anything we can put on the web site to inspire others is welcome.