Summer Is When Democracy Gets Local

Why your MP, MPP, or MLA is more accessible than you think — and how to take advantage of it.

Jul 04, 2025

Every summer, Parliament and most provincial legislatures shut down. No debates. No scrums. No late-night committee meetings.

And that’s when the real work can happen.

Because when elected officials aren’t in the House or the Legislature, they’re here. In your neighbourhood. At your library. Standing two feet away from the potato salad at your community BBQ.

And for once, their calendar isn’t packed with lobbyists and party meetings.

So if you’ve ever wondered when to book a meeting, raise an issue, or actually speak with the person who’s supposed to represent you …

This is the moment.

This is the part no one really tells you: summer is built for local politics.

MPs and MPPs and MLAs are back in their ridings. And while they’re home, their job is to hear from constituents. And the fall sitting is still far enough away that their focus is (at least partly) on their communities.

That’s where you come in.

If you want a meeting, you’ll probably have better odds now than at any other point in the year.

You don’t need to be “important” to get a meeting

Here’s the myth: you have to be part of an organization, have a title, or bring a group to get on a politician’s radar.

Here’s the truth: you just have to be a constituent with something to say.

Every MP, MPP, and MLA has staff working out of a local office, and it is literally their job to meet with the people they represent. You are allowed to book a meeting — and if you’re clear, prepared, and respectful, most of them will take it.

Your local rep has staff working in the constituency office year-round. And if you’re someone they represent, they’re supposed to make time to hear from you.

Not guaranteed — but possible.

Especially now.

You don’t need a 10-page policy brief.

You don’t need to memorize your lines.

You just need to show up with something real and ask for something they can do.

“Okay … but what do I say?”

Here’s the part people overthink: what do I say?

And it’s also the part I can help with.

It starts with knowing your ask.

Who you are
What’s happening
Why it matters to you (bonus: if it also matters to your rep)
What you want them to do

That last part is key. Your ask doesn’t have to be dramatic. But it does have to be clear. Do you want them to write a letter? Attend an event? Vote a certain way? Meet with others?

That’s it. That’s the framework.

Be real, be specific, and try to stay within their lane of power. (Hint: your MPP can’t change a federal immigration law. Your MP can’t pave your street.)

Not ready? You still have options

You don’t have to sit across a desk in a blazer to be heard.

This summer, you can:

Introduce yourself at a local event (yes, even at the corn roast)
Ask a question at a town hall
Drop by their office with a petition, letter, or follow-up from an earlier convo
Tag them on social (with a clear call to action — no rants, please)

Sometimes all it takes is making the first impression.

Let them start to recognize your name — and your voice.

Your voice is more powerful than you think

I know it’s easy to feel like nothing changes, like politicians don’t listen, like it’s all just too big. But I’ve seen too many people move things forward — one meeting, one letter, one summer conversation at a time — to believe that.

Summer is when politics slows down.

Which means it’s exactly when you can catch up.

Civic engagement grows when we share what we know. If this guide helped you, pass it on — to your group chat, your PTA, your neighbour, or your favourite group chat auntie.

This is Civics 201: understanding the rhythm of the political calendar — and using it to your advantage.

So I made you a resource

Because I know this part can feel like a leap.

And I want it to feel like a step.

This month’s free deep dive is a printable, fillable, friendly guide to getting in touch with your elected officials over the summer.

Inside you’ll find:

a sample email
a meeting checklist
a “what’s actually possible” cheat sheet to help you get started.
a few other tips and tricks.

Download the Summer Civics Action Kit

Not a script. Not homework.

Just a little scaffolding to help you feel like you’ve got this. Because you do.

🗓️ What to Watch For This Month

With Pierre Poilievre’s by-election officially underway, keep an eye on how the race unfolds. Will the Longest Ballot initiative follow him to Alberta? Will any other parties put up a real fight? We’ll find out between now and E-day in mid-August.
Many city councils are still meeting this summer. If housing, transit, or zoning are on your radar, this is your window to plug in before fall agendas ramp up.
The Prime Minister’s big infrastructure bill just passed. Now we watch the implementation. “Fast-tracking” is the promise — but who benefits, and how fast?

Thanks for digging in with me.

The truth is, change doesn’t always start with a headline.

Sometimes, it starts with a calendar invite. A face-to-face conversation. A story shared across a desk in your local constituency office.

Summer is the window. The rest is what you make of it.

It might feel a little outside your comfort zone, but it’s worth it. And if you need help, don’t forget the resource.

Download the Summer Civics Action Kit

This one’s a little different than my usual deep dives — but I was inspired by last week’s video to try something more practical. Less theory, more here’s exactly how to do it.

💬 Comments are open for everyone on this post.

Normally I keep comments just for paid subscribers, but I want this to be as accessible and useful as possible. If you’ve got questions, want to share your experience, or just need a little encouragement, jump in below — I’ll be hanging out in the comments.

And if you found this post (and the resource!) helpful, let me know. Seriously — if this is the kind of thing you want more of, I need to hear it.