Why, after all these years, are we still fighting to transform our economy away from fossil fuels? We know that nearly 90% of people want action on climate , yet bad-faith actors—backed by the fossil fuel industry—continue to distort public opinion on social media, creating a false perception of opposition. But we have good news: we still have time to act. But how? A big problem is our government hears a lot from the fossil fuels companies (986 times in 2025). They need to hear other voices. You as a constituent have a right to speak with your MP about your concerns. We have expert data on how to transition our economy and almost 16 years of experience facilitating discussions between constituents and parliamentarians. Last December, Senator Rosa Galvez joined us to discuss her Climate Aligned Finance Act—a nation-building bill for the 21st century. This is the kind of bold leadership we need, and we’re here to make sure it happens. In January, Simon Sharpe showed us how we can accelerate this transformation five times faster. The key now is to ensure our MPs understand that their constituents demand federal policies to redirect finances away from fossil fuels. As constituent lobbyists, we’ll guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned activist, we’ll provide the support you need to lobby your MP effectively. CONFERENCE BOOKLET Follow the Money II- Coming soon Monday, November 23, 2026 Tuesday, November 24, 2026 Wednesday, November 25, 2026 Do you have questions about lobbying at the end of November? Then join Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada’s Climate Leaders’ Launchpad every Wednesday to get ready. Register here. Additionally, if you come to Ottawa to lobby with us, there will be training and lobby preparation on Monday night in the evening. Then, you will be surrounded and supported by people who unconditionally giving for the greater good, some since 2010. This is probably our 30th time going to lobby our MPs as a collective (we are losing count). Note, that there will be a lot more details here by the end of September. Phone and then email your MPs to let them know you plan to meet with them during the CCL Canada’s lobbying days or in your home riding. Draft a “Getting Ready to Lobby” document in Word to share before booking your appointment. Even a draft is fine—please get it started. (See Lobbying Resources for what that means) Register your appointment. Coming soon Introduce yourself as a constituent in [insert name of your riding]. Express authentic appreciation for something the MP has done recently. Introduce Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) Canada: Let them know that November 23-25, CCL volunteers from across the country will be meeting with Parliamentarians to hear their thoughts on shared goals for tackling the climate crisis in Ottawa. Mention you would like to schedule a meeting during these days. Inform the staff you will follow up by email to confirm the date, time, and meeting details including the lobbying asks. Ask for the best email address for the staffer. Thank them for their time. Replace text in brackets and customize to your circumstances. Subject: Meeting Request – Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada Dear [Title and Name of Parliamentarian], I am a constituent of yours in [your riding]. I volunteer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada (CCL), a non-partisan, volunteer-led, grassroots advocacy organization that supports evidence-based climate policies. With over 40 active chapters across Canada, representing more than 120 ridings, CCL has been focused on advocating for effective climate solutions since its inception in 2010. From November 23-25, CCL volunteers from across the country will be meeting with Parliamentarians to hear their thoughts on Canada’s shared goals for addressing the climate crisis. We would greatly appreciate a meeting with you to hear your views and explore how we can work together. Specifically, we would like to discuss [insert your chosen CCL lobbying asks(s)]. If you could respond by [pick a date that makes sense] that would help us immensely in our planning and I will follow-up soon after that date if I not heard from you. We understand your office is very busy and happy to work around your schedule. My fellow constituents and I are looking forward to the opportunity to introduce ourselves and get to know you. Kind regards, Phone and then email your MPs to let them know you plan to meet with them in your home riding. Draft a “Getting Ready to Lobby” document in Word to share before booking your appointment. Even a draft is fine—please get it started. (See Lobbying Resources for what that means) Register your appointment in your home riding Introduce yourself as a constituent in [insert name of your riding]. Express authentic appreciation for something the MP has done recently. Introduce Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) Canada: Let them know that in June and July, CCL volunteers from across the country will be meeting with Parliamentarians to hear their thoughts on shared goals for tackling the climate crisis. Mention you would like to schedule a meeting during these days or if you are lobbying from your home riding when they are back in town. Thank them for their time. [Replace text in brackets] Subject: Meeting Request – Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada Dear [Title and Name of Parliamentarian], I am a constituent of yours in [your riding]. I volunteer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada (CCL), a non-partisan, volunteer-led, grassroots advocacy organization that supports evidence-based climate policies. With over 40 active chapters across Canada, representing more than 120 ridings, CCL has been focused on advocating for effective climate solutions since its inception in 2010. From June 1-3, CCL volunteers from across the country will be meeting with Parliamentarians to hear their thoughts on Canada’sshared goals for addressing the climate crisis and we are joining those efforts but from our home ridings. We would greatly appreciate a meeting with you to hear your views and explore how we can work together. Specifically, we would like to discuss [insert your chosen CCL lobbying asks(s)]. If you could respond by [pick a date that makes sense] that would help us immensely in our planning and I will follow-up soon after that date if I not heard from you. We understand your office is very busy and happy to work around your schedule. My fellow constituents and I are looking forward to the opportunity to introduce ourselves and get to know you. Kind regards, More resources IMPORTANT: Note that we are not hosting this event in a hotel. Thus, we can’t offer reduced hotel rates or a guaranteed block of rooms. This is one of the busiest times of the year for visiting Ottawa. It is critical to book your accommodations as soon as you commit to attending the conference. Courtyard Marriott East – 12 minute walk to Tremblay Station and then an 10-minute O-train ride to Parliament Hill. Ottawa Jail Hostel – Very inexpensive and group rates available. The closest to Parliament Hill. Note for those attending: “What’s needed is thousands of ordinary people organized, lobbying their [representatives] with one voice, one message, and lobbying in a relentless, unstoppable, yet friendly and respectful way.” Our Approach The Bigger Picture Diversity of Effort Gratitude Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) Canada brought together two dozen dedicated volunteers for a focused advocacy effort in Ottawa. Our team met with 14 Parliamentarians and co-hosted a Parachute for the Planet event on Parliament Hill with Senator Coyle. This intimate gathering reflected our commitment to strategic planning as we develop our 2027–2029 federal roadmap ahead of the next election. Join us in shaping the future of climate advocacy. Together, we can turn these insights into impact. Take action with us.
Details coming soon
The Why and The How
Agenda
5 pm to 9 pm
We will gather, learn, eat a meal together, plan our lobbying meetings and then walk to Parliament Hill for photos.
Location: TBA
What to wear? Please wear a red and white or Canada shirt if you can because this will make the photos interesting.
PS: if you have plastic nametag holders from previous conferences please bring them.
What to wear? Business professional is recommended for lobbying
Photo ID is required to get into all buildings on Parliament Hill
Give yourself at least 15 minutes to get through security.
Social Gathering at the end of the day – Local TBA
All day lobbying on Parliament Hill.
What to wear? Business professional is recommended for lobbying
Photo ID is required to get into all buildings on Parliament Hill
Give yourself at least 15 minutes to get through security.Our Real People Support
Securing an appointment in Ottawa
Steps to Prepare for Lobbying
– Phone first, identify yourself as a constituent, and follow up with an email.
– Be prepared to contact them multiple times until you get a response.
– Note you have to phone them and follow-up with an email. Emails alone ineffective.
– Give a deadline for them to respond in the email and then follow-up after the deadline.
Persistence is key.
Phone Script Outline
– Non-partisan, volunteer-led, not-for-profit founded in Canada in 2010.
– Chapters across Canada, representing over 120 ridings.
Email Script
[Your Name]Securing an appointment in your Riding
Steps to Prepare for Lobbying
– Phone first, identify yourself as a constituent, and follow up with an email.
– Be prepared to contact them multiple times until you get a response.
– Note you have to phone them and follow-up with an email. Emails alone ineffective.
– Give a deadline for them to respond in the email and then follow-up after the deadline.
Persistence is key.
Phone Script Outline
– Non-partisan, volunteer-led, not-for-profit founded in Canada in 2010.
– Chapters across Canada, representing over 120 ridings.
Email Script
[Your Name]Lobbying Toolkit
The lead person makes sure there is a biography of the parliamentarian in a document. Lobbyists meet before the lobbying session to review the document, assign roles in the meeting, the focus of their lobbying based on the most current “leave behind” and design possible motivational interviewing questions.
IMPORTANT: The Lobby is responsible for distributing the lobbying document to their group.
IMPORTANT – BRING YOUR PHOTO I.D. WITH YOU WHEN YOU LOBBY
IMPORTANT: Accommodations
Two inexpensive suggestions
It costs about half the price of the staying near Parliament Hill.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yowoe-courtyard-ottawa-east/overview/
https://saintlo.ca/en/hostels/ottawa-jail/
Here is a document where you can add where you are staying and find out who is staying at the same place as you.Focus is Our Superpower
Focus is CCL Canada’s Superpower
Why Focus Matters
In 2011, Vancouver NDP MP Libby Davies told us the biggest lobbying mistake is leaving MPs unclear about the ask. Our focus on specific, effective policies honours Marshall Saunders’s vision and our core value of focus.
– Marshall Saunders
We build relationships with MPs around targeted policies, not by sharing everything we know. Our process is data-driven: we review lobbying asks twice yearly, meet monthly to assess progress, and consult experts and MPs. When considering new asks, we evaluate resources, momentum, political leadership, and whether the policy will cut fossil fuel pollution without burdening taxpayers.
The industrial carbon price is under attack. We learned from losing the carbon rebate that spreading ourselves too thin weakens our impact. With 40 million people in Canada, we provide an open-source template for advocacy and encourage others to replicate it rather than ask us to take on their causes.
We respect and support the diversity of the climate movement. If your passion lies elsewhere, join groups aligned with your priorities. Many of us wear multiple hats and know when to wear our CCL one. Effective advocacy requires time and in-person engagement, and we celebrate all who do this work.
Blessings to the builders of new infrastructure and blockers of pipelines and subsidies. We cheer you on and hope you cheer on CCL’s backing of climate-aligned finance rules and industrial carbon pricing. Thank you for reading and reflecting.What we learned from June Lobbying
2026 National Conference: Advocacy in Action
Key Takeaways
Themes from the Hill
Legislative Realities
Economic & Political Landscape
Our Call to Action
Follow the Money II – Monday, November 23 to Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Home » Follow the Money II – Monday, November 23 to Wednesday, November 25, 2026
