Take Action: Contact Your Member of Parliament to Support Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a time-tested, evidence-informed, and culturally significant part of Canada's health landscape. As a TCM practitioner, patient, or supporter, you can help strengthen the future of this vital healthcare system by contacting your federal Member of Parliament (MP). Your voice is essential in ensuring that TCM continues to be recognized, respected, and supported across Canada.

Why Contact Your MP?

Members of Parliament are elected to represent your views in federal decision-making. Your input helps them understand what matters most to their constituents. Sending a thoughtful letter or email is a powerful way to advocate for policies that promote and protect Traditional Chinese Medicine.

How to Contact Your MP

1. Confirm Federal Jurisdiction

Before writing, check whether the issue is a federal responsibility. While healthcare is largely provincial, federal policymakers play a role in areas such as immigration (for international TCM practitioners), natural health products regulation, research funding, and recognition of traditional knowledge.

Find out who does what by checking out https://opencouncil.ca/level-of-government-responsibilities/

2. Find Your MP

Use your postal code to find your federal MP: Search here https://www.ourcommons.ca/members 

Write a Letter or Email: EPIC Format

Use the EPIC format to structure your message effectively:

• E – Engage your MP with a compelling fact or statement about TCM's role in public health. If you're a TCM professional, include an introduction about you and your role in your community's healthcare.
• P – Problem: Identify the challenge (e.g., currently there are concerns about expected cost increases and loss of Canadian businesses caused by Health Canada's upcoming new fees for Chinese herbs and other natural health products).
• I – Inform: Share evidence and examples of how TCM benefits Canadians and how solutions could be implemented.
• C – Call to Action: Clearly state what you want your MP to do (e.g., advocate for changes to Bill C-47 or support for bill C-368).

What to Include in Your Letter

• Your name and contact information
• State that you are a constituent in their riding
• A clear statement of the issue and your position
• A brief explanation of how it affects you (as a practitioner, patient, or advocate)
• Evidence or examples to support your position
• A request for action
• A thank you and a request for a written response
• Mention that you will be following up and sharing this issue within your community

Tips for Writing Effectively

• Be concise – keep your letter to one page
• Focus on one main issue
• Personalize it – speak from your own experience
• Attach any relevant articles or data if needed
• Double-check your MP’s correct title and name
• Keep a copy for your records

Template Letter

While we don't want to give you a copy-and-paste letter--because those are ignored--we have created a template you can use to fill in your own words and details. Remember to keep it respectful and, where possible, aim for the tone of being helpful. 

Letter to MP template election issues 2025.docx

What Gets the Most Attention?

From most to least effective:

1. Phone call
2. Mailed letter
3. Personalized email
4. Template/form email
5. Social media message or post

A personalized, mailed letter with a follow-up call can make the strongest impact.

It’s Free to Mail Letters to MPs

You don’t need a stamp to mail your MP if you’re in Canada. 

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/articles/government-mail-free-of-postage/overview.page

Address the envelope to:

[MP's Name] 

House of Commons 

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Next Steps

• Share on social media – Inspire others to act. Here are some sample suggestions of text you can include Social media post suggestions.docx
• Encourage your patients and colleagues to write as well
• Follow up after two weeks if you don’t receive a reply
• Copy other decision-makers (e.g., Health Minister, opposition critics, etc.)

Together, we can make sure Traditional Chinese Medicine--including our access to a broad range of high-quality Chinese herbs--remains a vital part of Canada’s healthcare future.