Throughout the summer, your Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will be out in communities across the province and eager to speak with you: their constituents. Elected members of government and the official opposition use the summer months to connect with the people that they represent, which involves not only spending more time in their constituency offices but also attending a variety of community events and supporting issues of interest.

Find my constituency: Polling Place Locator (elections.sk.ca)
Contact my MLA: MLA Contact Information (legassembly.sk.ca)

Find events near you:

Saskatchewan Party events: Events (saskparty.com) 
New Democratic Party events: Attend an Event (saskndp.ca)

Be sure to also check the social media account (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) of your local MLA to find more information about upcoming events in your area, or call your constituency office for further details.
 
This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard. A respectful, evidence-based conversation is always welcomed by political representatives. Registered nurses are the largest provider of direct care in the province, and patients regularly trust and rely upon you to speak up on their behalf.
 
Based on the 2022 SUN Member Survey and anecdotal input from members, we know the growing nursing shortage is having a significant impact right across the province. According to the survey, nearly 83% of members report registered nurse vacancies in their workplace, which is more than double the previous year. And over 57% of registered nurses have considered leaving the profession. Now, more than ever, your voice deserves to be heard. 

Potential Script:

 Hi, my name is _____ and I live in town/area. I’m one of your constituents and I’m also a registered nurse. Thank you for paying attention to the nursing shortage but the situation needs urgent action:
 
Choose one key request and include why it’s important to you:
 
Example: Government must work with frontline registered nurses to create retention and recruitment committees across the province. Without solutions that directly address problems in my area, I am afraid for patients who are already suffering from facility closures and lack of staff. This has a devastating impact on rural Saskatchewan, and more families continue to leave for better access to healthcare.

Potential Asks:

  1. Make access to safe healthcare your government’s top priority. This must involve timely care for patients and safe registered nurse staffing in both rural and urban areas.
  2. Act now to create a provincial Nursing Shortage Task Force with key partners including SUN, to find immediate solutions to the nursing crisis. This would include collaborative, funded retention and recruitment efforts in both urban and rural areas.
  3. The government should use retired registered nurses to provide support and address the delay in international recruitment efforts. This would also help ensure the success and retention of new nurses through the transfer of knowledge and experience.

It is time for the expert registered nursing voice to be heard and shape the future of healthcare in Saskatchewan.

Other ways to communicate your point of view: a phone call, email/letter, or in-person meeting.
 
Personal Visit: One of the most effective ways to influence your representative is a face-to-face visit. Many legislators have offices within their area of representation and make time available for meetings with constituents.
 
Letters/Emails: These can be written to any MLA, but letters/emails from a constituent will have much greater influence. If you are a constituent, begin your letter/email by saying so. Make clear your position and state exactly what action you want your representative to take.
 
Phone Calls: When you call, you will likely be initially talking to a secretary or aide. Identify yourself by name, address and hometown, and let them know that you are a constituent. State your issue/request and ask that your call be returned.

Tips for Speaking With Your Representative:

  1. Introduce yourself first as their constituent and a registered nurse. Your MLA’s job is to hear from you and they are eager for your input. Your profession is highly trusted and adds credibility to the information you can provide.
  2. Be concise and keep your information in plain language that is easy to understand. Identify the issue and how it directly affects you and your patients. Make your main point first, then follow with a personal anecdote/example for impact.
  3. Be accurate with your information. Try to anticipate questions your representative may ask, and if you don’t have the answer, commit to following up with their office.
  4. Bring solutions, not just problems. By speaking to the facts and providing solutions to the issues the government must address, your representative is more likely to listen and regard you as a reliable source.
  5. Be polite. It’s good to be passionate about an issue but continue to speak respectfully whether you are speaking to key decision-makers or their staff/assistants. Remain courteous and even if you disagree with their position, thank them for their time.

Building relationships with decision-makers is a process. It can mean formal meetings or conversations but also getting to know them personally. Researching their roles and histories, and understanding their personal values, interests, or even their families, doesn’t guarantee their support, but it does help to build trust and connection.