I frequently get emails and phone calls asking me where a piece of legislation of mine stands and how someone can help push the law forward or get a law repealed.

Ontario's Legislature has 107 members. Each proposed law and motion needs support, not only from the majority of the members of the legislature, but consent from the government of the day as well. Although, I can and do introduce Bills, motions and engage in debate in the Legislative Assembly, these by themselves are not enough to change legislation.

Unfortunately, I can't do it alone. I need your help if we want to make any changes to our laws.

One thing I’m fond of saying is that “democracy is not a spectator sport”. Unfortunately, most people in our government are not as willing to see change as you and I are. When they do change things, it’s usually because of the concerted activism of people like you. Here is a list of a few things you can do to help encourage them make Ontario a better place:

What you can do

1. Call the Premier’s office, the applicable Minister and your MPP. If you can’t get through, leave a message;
2. Send an email with the same message to the same people and ask for a timely reply;
3. Sending a real letter to those people is even better;
4. Send a letter to the editor to your local newspaper with the same message;
5. Call up your local talk radio stations and do the same thing;
6. Write a blog and/or post on Facebook and other social media your thoughts. Try to share and spread your message to other people;
7. Host a town hall and encourage other members of your to speak out and be heard as well;
8. Start a petition and submit it to the Legislature. For rules on petitions and a petition template, see here;
9. Organize a protest or a rally.

These are just a few methods to help and convince our government that they need to make change. Ontario's ails won't correct themselves if people are quiet and allow others to usurp their role within our democracy.