Speak Up
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make” - Jane Goodall
Awareness
Be aware of all the development proposals and issues in your community. These issues affect all citizens. Awareness of these issues is the very best place to start.
Education
Educate yourself about the development issues in your community. Research on the internet, read newspaper/magazine articles, attend community meetings, and visit websites like this one.
Meetings
Democracy works well when those in a democracy participate in the democratic process. This can be done by simply attending community meetings to get more information, or to express your opinions.
Write Letters
Express Your Concerns!!!! Writing letters to the decision makers in government and industry do have an impact. Let them know your thoughts. Letter writing is a simple but powerful tool. Those in positions of power or influence do react to the letters they receive. They realize that citizens care about the issues, that their actions are being watched, and that they will be held accountable for their actions.
TIPS
Keep your letter to one page and one topic
Don’t use a form letter. Your own words and thoughts will carry a lot more weight
State why you are writing the letter in the first sentence. “I am writing to express my concerns about …”
In the first paragraph of your letter state who you are and what issue you are writing about
Focus on your main points. Choose the strongest points to support your argument and develop them clearly. Too much information can distract from your position
Make it personal. Explain why the issue matters to you and how it affects you, your family, and your community
Make a specific request of the person to whom you are writing, and try to make the request reasonable
Be sure to sign the letter. Write or type it.
Ask for a response to your letter
Send a copy to any other interested groups
Key contacts for letter writing campaigns:
To find/contact a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta:
Danielle Smith, Honourable
Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Relations
307 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Phone: 780 427-2251
E-mail: premier@gov.ab.ca
Rebecca Schulz, Honourable
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
Environment and Parks
323 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Phone: 780 427-2391
E-mail: epa.minister@gov.ab.ca
Brian Jean, Honourable
Minister of Energy and Minerals
324 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Phone: 780 427-3740
E-mail: minister.energy@gov.ab.ca
Todd Loewen, Honourable
Minister of Forestry and Parks
323 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Phone: 780 644-7353
E-mail: fp.minister.energy@gov.ab.ca
RJ Sigurdson, Honourable
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
131 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Phone: 780 427-2137
E-mail: AGRIC.minister@gov.ab.ca
Chelsae Petrovic
MLA for Livingstone-Macleod
Livingstone-Macleod Constituency Office 4927 1st Street West
Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0
Phone: 587-424-2004
E-mail: livingstone.macleod@assembly.ab.ca
John Barlow, MP Foothills
109 - 4th Avenue SW
High River, Alberta
T1V 1M5
Tel: 403-603-3665
Toll Free: 1-866-636-9437
Mr. Dave Cox
Reeve, MD of Pincher Creek No. 9
Box 279
1037 Herron Ave.
Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0
Phone: 403-627-8164
T1V 1M5
Email: CouncilDiv3@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca
To find/contact additonal members of the MD of PIncher Creek Council: