We’re gearing up for a powerful Federal Environment Week in June, and we want you to be part of it. 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? 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. We hope you can join us. Before registration officially opens in late April, we invite you to take the first step: Monday, June 1, 2026 Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Wednesday, June 3, 2026 In May, our last three Climate Leader Launch Pads on Wednesdays will be dedicated to helping people to get ready to lobby in June on our Climate Leader Launchpad In May, there will be other time slots to help prepare to lobby too. So keep checking back here. If you come to Ottawa to lobby with us, there will be training and lobby preparation on Monday, June 1 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 29th time going to lobby our MPs as a collective (we are losing count). 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. 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 June 1-3, 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. 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 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. 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 On Tuesday, April 14, our monthly educational call is an Introduction to Motivational Interviewing with Vince Schutt. It is designed to sharpen your communication and advocacy skills. This training is free for all CCL members. If you’d like to show your appreciation, donations can be made to CCL Canada, as requested by Vince. What to Expect: How to Sign Up: Don’t miss this opportunity to build your skills and connect with fellow advocates. Let’s make our lobbying efforts as powerful as possible—together! 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. University Ottawa – the closest. The University of Ottawa Summer residences are inexpensive, walkable and you can catch the O-train from campus to Parliament Hill. Note, Mary Blake is staying at 90 University. 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:
Join Us in Shaping a Liveable Future
👉 Sign up here to join our movement and help lead the charge.General Outline
5 pm to 9 pm
We will gather, eat a meal together, possibly have a special guest, and then plan our lobbying meetings
All day lobbying on Parliament Hill
We might do something special in the morning on Parliament Hill between 8 am and 10 am.
Evening social somewhere.
All day lobbying on Parliament Hill.
A social event in the evening for those still in Ottawa.Our Real People Support
Securing an appointment
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
Motivational Interviewing with Vince
We’re gearing up for impactful lobbying, and we want to equip you with the skills to make your voice even more effective.
As you prepare to lobby your MPs in June a key thing we do in advance is craft motivational interviewing questions in our Getting Ready to Lobby documents. Our questions are based on the lobbying asks for MPs and Senators.
To help you in your efforts we invite you to join the Introduction to Motivational Interviewing with Vince Schutt on
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 5:00–6:30 PM PT / 8:00–9:30 PM ET
You have the option of doing more advanced training thereafter.
Motivational Interviewing with Vince Schutt
Dates: Tuesdays, April 14 – May 19, 2026
Time: 5:00–6:30 PM PT / 8:00–9:30 PM ET
You’ll have the chance to practice and refine communication techniques in your daily life, making these skills second nature as you advocate for climate solutions.
Simply email Vinceschutt@gmail.com with the subject line “CCL MI Training”. Vince will add you to the calendar invitation, which allows chapter leaders to easily invite others and edit the event details.
IMPORTANT: Accommodations
Four top inexpensive choices:
You MUST book your accommodations through Expedia.
– 90 University
– Henderson Residence
It costs about half the price of the staying near Parliament Hill.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yowoe-courtyard-ottawa-east/overview/
.
Saint Paul University – Group rates available. Room sharing required. Near the Parliamentary precinct.
https://saintpaulresidence.ca/
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.
CONFERENCE: Follow the Money
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