WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Your Local MP is your voice in Ottawa. They and DFO Minister Shae, need to
know how you feel.

Write letters, arrange meetings! PLEASE send copies of your letters to the BC
Sport Fishing Coalition so we can hold DFO accountable for the response.

Writing a letter to your MP is a great way to get your message across. For every
constituent who makes the effort to write a letter, ministers and MPs know that
there are many more constituents who are concerned about that issue, but are
not outspoken.

Getting in touch with your local MP is easy – The contact information for DFO
minister Gail Shae, and a complete list of all BC MP’s and their contact
information is included in this section for your convenience.

When writing to the minister and your MP, a short, handwritten or printed letter
is most effective. Don't send a brain-dump to these people. Take the time to edit
your letter for brevity and clarity. Try to make a single coherent point. Read the
“halibut 101” document if you feel you may not fully understand the issue.

DO NOT EVER just copy and paste letters - doing so will result in not only your
letter being dismissed, but everybody else's as well. Take the time to write your
own letter, in your own words. This letter should ideally give an example of how
lack of access to halibut will personally affect you, as issues that impact their
constituents directly are more likely to get an MP's attention.

If possible, try to give an instruction to your MP, e.g. Ask them to write to the
minister on your behalf, rather than just stating your point of view. Urging the
minister to make the right decision in terms of allocating more halibut to the
public fishery is also a good call to action in a minister letter.

FAQ’s about letter writing:

Is it effective?
Yes! The more MPs hear about an issue from their constituents, the more likely
they are to take action. MPs tend to judge that a huge number of other
constituents share the same concern if they receive just one letter on a certain
issue.

Sometimes, certain MPs will take the attitude that if the party they represent
already has a line on a particular issue that their job is to represent that party's
line to you. However, the more letters and visits they receive, the more likely they
are to go and do more background research and develop an opinion of their own.
They are more likely to represent their constituency's opinion on a matter instead
of a party line if they feel that it is an issue many constituents care about. Get as
many of your friends as possible who care about this issue to write their own
letters. Visits are even more effective.

If you don't tell Minister Shae and your MP your opinion, they won't know what it
is!

Do I need to be an expert?

No! You will likely know more about this issue than your MP and the minister -
they often have a wide range of issues to investigate as part of their work, and
can't be experts, or even relatively knowledgeable, in all of them. Your MP will
likely actually be grateful for any information you can provide.

What's more, Parliament is not there to represent the small number of people
who are experts in any given area. It is there to represent every person in the
country, and to represent their opinion. This is how it's meant to work!

The “Halibut 101” section of this package\website should give you all the
information you need to help educate minister Shae and your MP with respect to
the importance of recreational halibut fishing in your community, and how you
feel about how DFO is giving away your access to halibut in order to pander to the
interests of a few gifted quota holders. The attached briefing note will provide
you with a clear message that your MP can keep and use for future reference
when dealing with colleagues in the House of Commons.

General tips – letters and meetings.

All ministers and MPs are different and have different ways of organizing their
time and their work. But there are some general tips to remember.

They are very busy. Keep letters, phone calls and meetings short and to the
point. Focus on this one issue. Don’t cloud the issue with several others in
the same letter or meeting.
Cultivate a relationship with an MP’s staff. A secretary, caseworker or
researcher will often be your first point of contact. These people decide
which letters need to be seen by the MP and manage the diary. It’s useful
to get them on your side!
Be polite and courteous. There is nothing to be gained from getting
annoyed!
Do write down any specific comments made by your MP.
Remember to include your full name and address. You need to make it
clear that you are a constituent, and the MP needs to be able to send a
reply.
Write in your own words. Show the politician that you are a real person.
Never send a copy/pasted letter — it makes it seem like a lobbyist is
spamming MPs
Keep it short. One page of 8.5 x 11 paper should be enough.
If you write your letter by hand, make sure it is legible!
Stick to one issue per letter.
Use bullet points to highlight your arguments.
If possible, include supporting facts to back up your case.
Above all, make it clear what you are asking the MP to do in response.
If you print your letter, remember to sign it personally.
Do ask for a reply.
SEND A COPY OR A SEPARATE LETTER TO DFO MINISTER SHAE.
PLEASE SEND AN ELECTRONIC OR PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR LETTERS TO THE
BC SPORT FISHING COALITION!

The BC Sports Fishing Coalition wants to make sure that DFO and the Federal
Government are held fully accountable for this issue. In order to do this, we
need to have an accurate idea of the number of letters that are sent in.
Please forward a copy of your letter to us at: info@sportfishing.bc.ca

Or: Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

8014 Webster Rd.
 Delta, B.C.
V4G 1G6

All letters to MP’s should also be cc’d to DFO Minister Gail Shae.

Better still, write a separate letter to Gail Shae as well, and cc your MP!

Honorable Gail Shae

Minister of Fisheries & Oceans

Parliament Buildings

Wellington St

Ottawa, ON

K1A-0A6

*Letters to the Parliament buildings do not need a stamp.

Example letter

Following is an outline of how your letter could be written. It’s not critical to
follow this outline if it doesn’t fit your personal style. What’s more important is
that the letter is in your own words, and illustrates why this issue is important to
you.

Your Name
House,
Street,
Town,
Post Code
 Phone Number

MPs Name
House of Commons,
London,
SW1A 0AA

1st Dec 2010

Dear Minister Shae:

I am concerned about the future of the recreational halibut fishery in BC

because..

This affects me because...state all of your reasons, here’s some ideas:

Are you employed in the sport fishing sector or is a family member?

Would severe decreases in halibut fishing affect your income and quality
of life?
Would severe decreases in bag limits or season length affect your
community? How?
Is the opportunity to fish for halibut important to you, your friends and
your family – why?

Further, I am offended by the idea of the privatization of our common property

resources because...

Do you feel that the privatization of a common property resource to a

small special interest group like the commercial quota holders is unfair and
potentially illegal?
How does the idea of “slipper skippers” asking you to pay for access to a
resource that you actually own, and they got for free make you feel?

Summary of the problem

the recreational fishery is likely to be severely restricted in 2011 with large

negative impacts on fishermen and businesses in your community.
 This is being done in order to meet the needs of a 435 “slipper skippers”
who never paid for their quotas in the first place, and now want us to pay
for it.
This is about allocation, not conservation – everyone wants a sustainable
fishery, we just want our ability to participate in it.

Summary of the solution

The recreational fishery needs a minimum of 2 halibut per day and 2 in

possession in order to continue to provide its huge economic and social
benefits to British Columbians like yourself.
DFO Minister Gayle Shae has the power to do this. She can solve the
problem.

I would be grateful if you could raise my concerns with ??

who I believe is responsible for these sections of the Bill.

If you would like further information on these issues, the

following link provides a detailed analysis:

http://www.sportfishing.bc.ca

Yours sincerely
Your Name

Good luck! Make sure to send in copies to the BCSFC!

British Columbia MP’s:
NAME RIDING PARTY PHONE ADDRESS
Keith Esquimalt\Juan de Fuca Liberal 250-474-6505 666 Granderson
Martin Rd. Victoria, BC;
V9B-2R8
James Nanaimo\Alberni Conservative 250-390-7550 6894 Island
Lunney Highway North,
Suite 6;
Nanaimo, BC;
V9V-1P6
Jean Nanaimo\Cowichan NDP 250-746-4896 126 Ingram St.
Crowder Suite 101,
Duncan, BC
V9L-1P1
Gary Lunn Saanich\Gulf Islands Conservative 250-656-2320 9843 Second
St.; Sidney, BC;
V8L-3C7
John Vancouver Island North Conservative 250-383-9381 576 England
Duncan (Courtenay) Ave. Courtenay,
250-956-2494 BC V9N-2N3
(Port McNeil)
2-1488 Beach
Drive; Port
McNeill, BC
V0N-2R0

Denise Victoria NDP 250-363-3600 970 Blanshard

Savoie St. Victoria, BC
V8V-2H3
Nathan Skeena\Bulkely Valley NDP (250) 877- 1283 Main
Cullen 4140 Street, 2nd
Floor, PO Box
4914
Smithers,
British
Columbia
V0J 2N0

John Delta\Richmond East Conservative (604) 940- 4871 Delta

Cummins 8040 Street
Delta, British
Columbia,
V4K2T9

Don Davies Vancouver\Kingsway NDP 604-775-6263 2951 Kingsway

Vancouver, BC,
V5R 5J4
Libby Vancouver East NDP 604 775 5800 2412 Main
Davies Street,
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V5T 3E2
Stockwell Okanagan\Coquihalla Conservative 250.770.4480 Suite 202, 301
Day Main Street
Penticton, BC
V2A 5B7
Sukh Newton\North Delta Liberal (604) 598- #113 8532
Dhaliwal 2200 Scott Road
Surrey, BC V3W
3N5
Fin New Westminster\Coquitlam NDP 604) 664-9229 1116 Austin
Donnelly Avenue
Coquitlam, BC
V3K 3P5
Ujjal Vancouver South Liberal (604) 775- 6408 Fraser
Dosanjh 5323 Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V5W 3A4
Edward Abbotsford Conservative :(604) 557- #205 – 2825
Fast 7888 Clearbrook Rd.
Abbotsford, BC
V2T 6S3
Hedy Fry Vancouver Centre Liberal 604.666.0135 106 - 1030
Denman St
Vancouver, BC,
V6G 2M6
Nina Fleetwood\Port Kells Conservative 604) 501-5900 201-15957 84th
Grewal Avenue
Surrey, BC V4N
0W7
Dick Harris Cariboo – Prince George Conservative 250-564-7771 206-575
Quebec St,
Prince George,
BC V2L 1W6
Peter Julian Burnaby\New Westminster NDP (604) 775- 7615 Sixth
5707 Street
Burnaby, British
Columbia
V3N 3M6
Randy Pitt Meadows\Maple Conservative 604.466.2761 22720
Kamp Ridge\Mission Lougheed Hwy
Maple Ridge,
 BC V2X 2V6
Colin Okanagan\Shuswap Conservative 250-260-5020 3105 29 Street,
Mayes Vernon, BC
V1T 5A8
Cathy Kamloops\Thompson\Cariboo Conservative 250-851-4991 979 Victoria St.
Mcleod Kamloops, BC
V2C 2C1

PO Box 1977
438 Birch Ave.
S.
One Hundred
Mile House, BC
V0K 2E0
James Port Moody\Westwood\ Port Conservative 604.937.5650 2603 St. John’s
Moore Coquitlam Street
Port Moody,
BC, V3H 2B5
Joyce Vancouver \ Quadra Liberal 604-664-9220 206-2112 W.
Murray Broadway
Vancouver, BC
V6K 2C8
Andrew North Vancouver Conservative 613-995-1225 102 3rd St W
Saxton
North
Vancouver, BC,
V7M 1E8
Bill Siksay Burnaby \ Douglas NDP 604-291-8863 4506 Dawson
Street
Burnaby, BC
V5C 4C1
Chuck Chilliwack \ Fraser Canyon Conservative (604) 847- 102 – 7388
Strahl 9711
Vedder Road
Chilliwack BC
V2R 4
Mark Langley Conservative 604-534-5955 #104-4769
Warawa
222nd Street
 Langley, BC
V2Z 3C1
John West Vancouver \ Sunshine Conservative 604 981 1790 21-285 17th St.
Weston Coast \ Sea to Sky Country
West
(Vancouver)
Vancouver, BC
604 885 2939
V7V 3S6
(Sechelt)

604 489 2222 #207 – 5760

Teredo Mall
(Powell River)
P.O. Box 1505
Sechelt, BC
V0N 3A2

#24-7100
Alberni St.
Powell River, BC
V8A 5K9

Alice Wong Richmond Conservative 604-775-5790 Unit 360 – 5951

No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC
V6X 2E3