A well-written personal letter is one of the most powerful ways to show your local politician that an issue really matters to you, your family and community.

Most people today leave a comment at the bottom of a news story on the Internet, or dash off a quick e-mail to express their opinion. These are valuable ways of communicating, but when it comes to political lobbying, nothing beats a well-considered, printed letter arriving in a politician’s hands.

Five tips for writing an effective letter

1. Target the local politician that deals with the issue you are concerned about. In the case of Alberta Hospital, your local MLA is the best person to contact. Find your MLA here. If you don’t have access to the Internet, call the government’s toll-free number 310-0000 and ask them to look up your MLA’s contact information. If you don’t know your MLA’s name, operators can look it up with your postal code.
2. Be concise and stay on topic. Remember, our goal is to see Alberta Hospital Edmonton redeveloped and stop the closure of Geriatric Psychiatry beds. Don’t stray from that objective.
3. Share your first-hand experiences. If you, a family member, or a friend have been helped by Alberta Hospital Edmonton, tell that story. If you or someone you know or care about have experienced a shortcoming in the mental health system, tell that story too.
4. Be polite, but firm. It’s okay to express your emotions in your letter, but be careful not to launch personal attacks against the person that you’re writing.
5. Send copies of your letter to your MLA to the top of the food chain. You can find addresses for Premier Ed Stelmach, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky, and Alberta Health Services CEO Dr. Stephen Duckett below. Send us a copy too!

Important points to make in your letter

1. Object strongly to the closure of long term care beds at Villa Caritas and the closing the Geriatric Psychiatry unit at Alberta Hospital Edmonton. It is important that the whole hospital be redeveloped and we keep the team of world-class professionals together for many years to come!
2. Let your MLA know that you are concerned about the availability and quality of treatment for the mentally ill in your community.
3. Let your MLA know that without redevelopment of AHE, you are concerned that people with severe mental illness will fall through the cracks and be left behind.
4. Ask your MLA how the government can scrap the former Capital Health Region’s plans to redevelop Alberta Hospital for a lack of funding, while spending over $350 million on office space for politicians at the legislature?

If you want more in-depth information for your letter, click here for a report making the case for redevelopment. For a Word-format sample letter that you can use to start your own letter, click here.

When write your MLA, send copies of your letter to:

Premier Ed Stelmach
307 Legislature Building
10800 – 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6

Hon. Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Health and Wellness
208 Legislature Building
10800 – 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6

Dr. Stephen Duckett, CEO, Alberta Health Services
C/O Alberta Health Services Corporate Office
700 Manulife Place
10180 – 101 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 3S4

Save Alberta Hospital Edmonton
C/O Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
10451 – 170 Street
Edmonton, AB T5P 4S7