Thread by @HoCStaffer

Correspondence to an MP.

Just want to highlight a few things & give some clarity to folks about it.

I welcome feedback & happy to try to answer any questions folks have about day-to-day life on the Hill.

Small 🧵 on sending emails to MPs👇

First point about correspondence:

1) If you're not from the riding we don't care.

Now, that's not to say your issue is not important, but MPs can get hundreds of emails a day. Some original, many automated ones.

They - or more specifically their staff - have more than enough to do without answering messages from outside the riding.

Fun fact: MPs are answerable to their constituents, not ALL Canadians.

2) The actual MP almost never answers your email.

Occasionally if they know the person or it's a quick "hey MP, I'm happy you voted this way," the MP may send a quick reply. But 99+% of the time it is staff sending the email.

Oh? Your reply was signed by the MP?

Lol. No it wasn't. Staff have access to the "MP" accounts and send emails on the MP's behalf with the MP's signature.

(All MPs have their own private parl accounts which are not public for important correspondence)

Offices generally break down into two categories when it comes to correspondence.

Some have staff answer on behalf of the MP.

Others have MP-approved replies that are catered to different issues.

Those are the ones which are "signed" by MPs but really are just pre-approved talking points.

3) Your message isn't special & no one is taking action right away (in most cases).

You demanding action on something is almost always immediately counter-balanced by someone else asking for the opposite action.

"But my MP has to represent me," you say?

Yeah, well the person demanding the opposite also says that!

An MP cannot do what you want on every issue!

What they can do is listen to your views, raise your concerns if need be (to the minister, to caucus, to the shadow minister etc) but on many issues it is impossible to take action on both sides.

This is often why politicians end up in a mushy middle on issues. Lots of people on both sides, & no matter how dumb some people can be, they have a right to vote. Unless you know the person is not voting for you you don't want to alienate them.

"So my email doesn't matter then?"

Well, not quite.

An individual email will be replied to acknowledging it & often with a pre-approved answer.

It generally won't say "you're right, I will do what you want."

4) But offices do keep track of the amount of emails for and against something.

(Some take precise tallies, some just general ones).

Let's take an imaginary Bill for example.

First, let's remember that the party will have a general position and the Conservative Caucus has Caucus Advisory Committees (CACs) which meet to discuss Bills and provide feedback back to National Caucus (there are also provincial/regional ones).

So you send an email saying I don't like this Bill - that email doesn't do that much. But it read and counted.

So if 100 people send a similar message and only 10 send an email in support, then something starts to happen.

Then the MP is going to CAC and saying "hey, we're hearing a lot of opposition," Maybe at regional caucuses certain provinces are hearing more opposition.

This is all noted and brought to National Caucus. If the party position was more favourable to begin with maybe the noted opposition leads to an attempt to amend the Bill or to delay it.

That's where email becomes helpful.

So don't be all annoyed that the "MP" doesn't immediately say "yes constit, I will do what you want!"

You are one of tens of thousands of people in the riding, all of whom have different views - all demanding to be represented.

Plus the party, plus other regions etc etc. Making a policy or taking a position isn't mess-free.

COVID was a little like this. The mass of emails against the measures moved the CPC's position.

5) Youtube and other links are the worst.

Just because you have an hour to watch some youtuber drone on about the WEF or some shit doesn't mean staff have the time to do it.

The MP never does. Did you read about all the caucuses? Then add committees, QP, votes, & other meetings.

So just about the worst thing you can ask is "watch this video and tell me what you think" or "then answer the following questions..."

Like shit man, who do think you has time for that?

Just imagine 8 people sending a request to watch a youtube video and then reply with observations?

That's an 8 hour day. Now staffers generally work more than 8 per day but that's a waste of time when they could be doing more important things.

Like come on! Plus your algorithm just feeds you more shit to make you more angry and to watch more videos.

Put your phone down. Go outside.

6) The one exception to that - even though Google could likely answer the question - is scam emails or posts.

No one is generally bothered to look into scams, especially when the request is coming from a senior.

My rule is generally believe nothing. Your bank isn't calling you. CRA isn't calling you. Deposed Prince Momboko from Nigeria is though.

7) All emails and phone calls are tracked.

Partly to ensure everyone gets an answer, partly to ensure staff are working hard, and partly to ensure that come election time we know who is onside.

It also ensures that you don't call the riding - not get the answer you want - then email the Hill complaining that no one helped you.

We know. Nice try. Riding & Hill talk often.

8) No, you can't email or call and expect to speak to the MP asap.

First of all, because the MP is almost never sitting in their office doing nothing.

Second of all, you may well be a lunatic.

Third, even if you are a rational, well-informed person you may keep the MP on the phone for an hour and - like I said - the schedule is busy & you're one of tens of thousands of constituents.

Fourth, staff can fix your problem 99% of the time. You don't "need" to speak to the MP, you "want" to speak to the MP.

Plus - and no disrespect to the MPs - staff often know more. Like how a program works or what number to call to fix your problem.

So if you want to speak to the MP you will speak to staff first. If it truly is something you must speak to the MP about, then an appointment will be made and it will not be immediately.

An in-person meeting will take longer to arrange and it will depend on if you want it in Ottawa or the riding.

For example, a riding request will take weeks when the House is in session.

MPs are back only for weekends and break weeks. Those are pretty booked up in advance. It may be a few weeks before you get a meeting.

So pro-tip, if you "must" speak with the MP then ask for a short phone call & not be too demanding on the time.

Well, that's all the email-related stuff I can think of at the moment, but I will likely add to the 🧵 if I think of things.

Like I said, I welcome the feedback & feel free to drop a question.