Not sure what to write?

Here is a sample of what you can write to your MP. You can feel free to use this exact template and fill in your information. The more personal, the more effective, but if writing a letter is what's stopping you, here's your chance. Feel free to include this website's URL or a copy of the Valueof5 Pay-it-Forward flyer. Good luck!

Dear [insert name of Member of Parliament],
I am writing to you today as an empowered contributor to this country’s democratic process. As a concerned citizen of [insert your city/town name], I cannot help but notice the amount of tax money wasted on hiding our city’s vulnerable populations. Winter is quickly approaching and though many of our citizens without permanent shelter will make use of the city’s crash beds and food banks, many more will sleep on the frigid cold of the sidewalk.
Media outlets will bring the issues to our attention in an attempt to praise the current efforts, but we do not hear about those left behind. The majority of people who try to get a hot meal and a warm bed for a night are turned away because there is simply not enough space for them. What happens to these people? What is your plan for the citizens, your neighbours, who are denied access to a shelter because they were too busy picking their children up from school to stand in line early enough? Please be advised these are not rhetorical questions. I would like to know your plan.
Many homeless Canadians have paying jobs but cannot afford safe shelter with the compensation they earn. Without a proper night’s sleep and food to eat, how can anyone be expected to work a full day? Without heat during the winter months, a significant portion of our community who cannot be provided with affordable shelter will end up in hospital beds.
A recent statistic shows that a person living on the edge of poverty uses at least double the healthcare resources as a person living in safety. Putting this money towards affordable housing means less sick people, more hospital beds for those who need them most and a safer [insert your city/town name].
It costs the government about $53 per night per bed to house a small portion of Canada’s homeless for little more than a hot meal and a bed. It can cost up to 50 times this amount for a night in the hospital. It would cost less to offer more subsidized housing and would be more beneficial for the citizens involved.
These issues are important to your voters. It is critical for this crisis to be acknowledged immediately. I am proud of my city. I am proud of my country. I am not proud of the classist dismissal of our own people.
I appreciate your correspondence on this growing emergency, [insert name of MP]. As the holiday season approaches, please remember how many Canadians are only one paycheque away from life in the system. Please partner with your community.
Thank you,

[sign your name]

[print your name]
[phone number]