A letter to my Member of Parliament

[ivyblossom]

I have discovered that the MP of my riding, Guelph-Wellington, has declared herself opposed to the same sex marriage bill proposed by the leader of her own party, in spite of the fact that that bill has yet to make it anywhere near the House of Commons. In spite of the fact that that bill will have been approved by the Supreme Court of Canada before it hits the floor.

My letter:

Dear Ms. Chamberlain,

As a member of your constituency I'm appalled to discover that you intend to oppose the same sex marriage bill proposed by your own party. The Supreme Court has ruled that to deny gay Canadians the right to marry runs counter to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Why are you voting to deny any citizen in your constituency their civil rights?

I'm very disappointed to see prejudices like this make their way into political decisions, and I would ask you to seriously examine the issues at hand before you declare your position. Have you consulted with the people in your constituency that this law will directly effect? Have you met with gay groups in Guelph to discuss the pros and cons, and determined exactly why this legislation is so important? My family and friends, all long-time residents of Guelph, would like a statement from you on why you are voting to deny me the same rights my sister and my parents have.

Sincerely,

[Real Name]

If your member of parliament is planning to vote against the same sex marriage bill and you feel the same way I do, feel free to riff on my letter and send one on yourself. Remember, snail mail letters to MPs don't require postage. Feel free to direct your Canadian friends to this post.

Comments

[venivincere]

Ivy, I love you for your clear-headedness. Hell, I just plain love you. Wish I was Canadian so I could pass this on to my MP. Hmmmm. Wonder how Mr. Bush would react to it?

[terig.livejournal.com]

You go girl.

Last I heard, my MP is for the bill. Which is good because there would be mayhem if she wasn't.

But I will definitely direct folks who live in ridings that have opposing MPs to this course of action.

[mackzazzle.livejournal.com]

*clears her throat*

"MP Dave Chatters on CFOK radio in Alberta said, "And when you go into the issue of homosexuals and lesbians I think it's in the interest of society to have the right to discriminate against that group in areas of...schools is the one that comes to mind." He justified this as being similar to discriminating against young people by not issuing drivers licenses to those under sixteen years of age."

That's my MP. Oh, and did I mention my Premier? Ralph Klein?

Maybe I should write letters. Though fuck knows what good it's going to do. Alberta seems to be a law unto its own.

[ms-potter.livejournal.com]

Rock on, you!

*is Canadian and will pass on letter*

[dancingspring.livejournal.com]

I could threaten to withdraw my shiny American dollars from the hall of higher learning which is U of T if the bill fails, but I don't think they'll actually care what I have to say since I can't vote. But I'll send all my Canadian friends here!

[sheron]

Remember, snail mail letters to MPs don't require postage.

Really? I never knew that.

I want to find out what my MP supports. So far, I haven't heard a peep about anything out of her.

[katiemorris.livejournal.com]

Really impressed with your letter and your clarity of thought processes. Will certainly direct several Canadian friends to your post and wish you all success.

How dare these people say they represent us, yet totally ignore the wishes of the majority.

Kate

[auntbeast.livejournal.com]

as editor to the stars, my proofreading comments:

Why are you voting to deny any citizen in your constituency their (HIS OR HER) civil rights? (personal pet peeve)

I would ask you to seriously examine (TO EXAMINE SERIOUSLY) the issues (split infinitive)

Have you consulted with the people in your constituency that (WHOM) this law will directly effect? (people get a whom, other things get a that)

i am always impressed when people write to their government. i support this 100%, ivy baby!

[cynjen]

I second the admiration for your clear head. Whenever I'm inspired to write letters to MPs, I end with angry, incoherent rants. If I was Canadian, I'd be copying this ASAP. I hope your MP is persuaded to see sense on this.