Following up with newly elected MPPs

The day after the election, faculty associations should start to prepare a local lobbying strategy to meet with all elected MPPs in their area on a regular basis.

Contact with newly elected or re-elected MPPs should take place as soon as possible. If the current member is re-elected, send an email to their constituency office address. If a new member is elected, send an email to the address they used during the campaign. Follow up your email with a phone call to the member the following week.

Sample email to New MPP

[Date]

[Name] [Address]

Dear [Name];

On behalf of the [Name of association], I want to congratulate you on your election to the Ontario Legislature as a Member of Provincial Parliament. This success reflects your commitment to both the people of our community and the Province of Ontario.

The [Name of Association] is eager to work with you to ensure that our universities offer the best possible educational experience to our students and continue to be the sources of insight and innovation that power our economy. As you know, the social vitality and economic success of our province depends on higher education, and I hope you will be a powerful advocate for our universities at Queen’s Park.

As the President of [Name of association], I welcome any opportunity to meet with you to discuss the future of higher education in Ontario. In the meantime, if I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me at:

[Name] [Address of association] [Phone number] [Email]

Once again, congratulations. I wish you all the best as you assume your very important public service responsibilities.

Sincerely,

[Name] President, [Name of association]