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Please don't work/advocate for me either. Just because they spike your concerns doesn't mean they are my concerns.  
 
Edited by CG42, 2016-04-21 13:45:00

There is a big difference between acknowledging that they received a fax and actually doing something with that fax.

I vacuumed my house and found $3.70 in the couch cushions. That's how I spent my day.

I've seen a few mention here that they do not want the OP to advocate or speak for them in regards to the issues they presented to our government. How is it that when one person brings their concerns before our government leaders that means they are somehow advocating for you as well? I don't think that was the OP's point in the post.  
I as well have brought important issues to the attention of our leaders, and unfortunately have had no success. It is good to see that someone has possibly had their voice heard with our leaders. Gives me encouragement that when I do bring my issues forward now that maybe I will be heard.  
For everyone else, you can raise your own issues with our Premier or your MLA. We all have a voice, and we are all going to have different issues that are important in our lives, and if we speak up, we will hopefully see the leadership we want.

"How is it that when one person (the OP) brings their concerns before our government leaders that means they are somehow advocating for you as well?  
 
Because the OP stated:  
"... with that said, I continue to work/advocate for all Manitobans on issues that spike my concerns..."  
 
The statement is more than a little bit presumptious - taking for granted that issues that concern the OP are issues that concern 'all Manitobans', or that the OP's concerns should rightfully be shared by all Manitobans. Sounds like the OP knows best what's good for all of us.  
 
Or maybe it's just a poor choice of wording by the OP.

myhandleistrain said "... does the PM have anything to do with provincial politics? "

As the Prime Minister of Canada, he does observe how the Provincial governments are running/what is happening. So if we are unhappy about what is happening at the Provincial level - like I was - the Prime Minister is the one who needs to be informed about the issue. Remember, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms rules supreme over all of Canada - protecting all Canadians, even though we live in Manitoba. Remember, Federal law overrides Provincial. Does that help answer your question?  

Jellybean said "I've seen a few mention here that they do not want the OP to advocate or speak for them in regards to the issues they presented to our government. How is it that when one person brings their concerns before our government leaders that means they are somehow advocating for you as well? I don't think that was the OP's point in the post.   I as well have brought important issues to the attention of our leaders, and unfortunately have had no success. It is good to see that someone has possibly had their voice heard with our leaders. Gives me encouragement that when I do bring my issues forward now that maybe I will be heard.   For everyone else, you can raise your own issues with our Premier or your MLA. We all have a voice, and we are all going to have different issues that are important in our lives, and if we speak up, we will hopefully see the leadership we want. "

I absolutely concur. I have had alot of success getting my Voice heard, and am proud of that. I will continue working on the same issues as I was before the party change up.  
 
Please keep stepping forward Jellybean - this is how changes happen. I know, because I have been successful.

whatthewhat said "    myhandleistrain said "... does the PM have anything to do with provincial politics? " As the Prime Minister of Canada, he does observe how the Provincial governments are running/what is happening. So if we are unhappy about what is happening at the Provincial level - like I was - the Prime Minister is the one who needs to be informed about the issue. Remember, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms rules supreme over all of Canada - protecting all Canadians, even though we live in Manitoba. Remember, Federal law overrides Provincial. Does that help answer your question?   "

 
You may want to read up a bit on how the Canadian political system works before you start advocating. While you are right that the CCRF is federal, that's because it's within the constitutional power of the Govt of Canada. Federal law however, does not override Provincial laws. Their powers are different.  
 
Thats a US based system you are thinking of. You might want top google the Constitution Act and division of powers.

Personal letters to prime ministers office is pointless and they won't be read, there's a chain of command, you have to send your concerns to either the MLA or MP, depending on whether its a provincial or federal issue.  
 
Even then, a personal letter is pointless and won't accomplish anything, neither should it. It's a single opinion of ONE person, nothing more. If you want the concern to be actually acknowledged by a local representative, it needs to be a petition, how many signatures it has will dictate its importance.  
 
Still, even then it's just the opinion of a vocal group of people and very well might not reflect the opinions of the population as a whole, this is why the government favours public opinion polls and in some cases focus groups, not petitions and especially not personal letters, sorry to say.

The best way to get a political message across is to organize with people that share concerns and do things in the public eye that get the government's and media's attention.  
 
I've sent countless letters to politicians over the years, it didn't amount to a lick of action.

So, the particular issues I have with the government certainly are not just personal, and do concern a certain group within the population. My concerns brought before the government are not me advocating for all Manitobans. I do it for personal reasons, also knowing that it will benefit the people within this category. That said though, if my concern were addressed, it would have a positive chain effect in other areas and change in others as well. So in that regard, I am advocating for all Manitobans.  
 
In reality though, most government decisions have a positive effect for some people and not others. This is why we have the freedom to vote, and the freedom to voice our opinion, so that a majority of people are feeling more benefit than not. Unfortunately, in my opinion, I don't feel that people are going to be happy with the decision made in Manitoba this time around. Just as people begged for change federally, those same people are regretting the decision now, as our PM is not living up to expectation.  
 

Just what are your concerns ? Share them with us .

on-second-thought said "    whatthewhat said "    myhandleistrain said "... does the PM have anything to do with provincial politics? " As the Prime Minister of Canada, he does observe how the Provincial governments are running/what is happening. So if we are unhappy about what is happening at the Provincial level - like I was - the Prime Minister is the one who needs to be informed about the issue. Remember, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms rules supreme over all of Canada - protecting all Canadians, even though we live in Manitoba. Remember, Federal law overrides Provincial. Does that help answer your question?   "   You may want to read up a bit on how the Canadian political system works before you start advocating. While you are right that the CCRF is federal, that's because it's within the constitutional power of the Govt of Canada. Federal law however, does not override Provincial laws. Their powers are different.     Thats a US based system you are thinking of. You might want top google the Constitution Act and division of powers. "

So sad to tell you but you are so very wrong! I know, because I have challenged it and made changes at the Provincial level. But thanks for your input!!!

Enfyre said "Personal letters to prime ministers office is pointless and they won't be read, there's a chain of command, you have to send your concerns to either the MLA or MP, depending on whether its a provincial or federal issue.     Even then, a personal letter is pointless and won't accomplish anything, neither should it. It's a single opinion of ONE person, nothing more. If you want the concern to be actually acknowledged by a local representative, it needs to be a petition, how many signatures it has will dictate its importance.     Still, even then it's just the opinion of a vocal group of people and very well might not reflect the opinions of the population as a whole, this is why the government favours public opinion polls and in some cases focus groups, not petitions and especially not personal letters, sorry to say. "

This is not what I have experienced, and hate to read your negative thoughts - sad to see you think this way!

whatthewhat said "    on-second-thought said "    whatthewhat said "    myhandleistrain said "... does the PM have anything to do with provincial politics? " As the Prime Minister of Canada, he does observe how the Provincial governments are running/what is happening. So if we are unhappy about what is happening at the Provincial level - like I was - the Prime Minister is the one who needs to be informed about the issue. Remember, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms rules supreme over all of Canada - protecting all Canadians, even though we live in Manitoba. Remember, Federal law overrides Provincial. Does that help answer your question?   "   You may want to read up a bit on how the Canadian political system works before you start advocating. While you are right that the CCRF is federal, that's because it's within the constitutional power of the Govt of Canada. Federal law however, does not override Provincial laws. Their powers are different.     Thats a US based system you are thinking of. You might want top google the Constitution Act and division of powers. " So sad to tell you but you are so very wrong! I know, because I have challenged it and made changes at the Provincial level. But thanks for your input!!! "

What am I wrong about? The Constitutional Acts and the Division of powers is very real. Remember Grade 8 history class?  
 
What did you challenge? The government? How did you make changes at the provincial level. Did you somehow introduce a Bill? Please enlighten us.

I am also interested in what SPECIFIC changes you have made at the Provincial level. So far your posts on this thread seem to be little more than self-congratulatory attention seeking. I look forward to you providing details. That may inspire others to follow your lead.  
 
Edited by standard standard h8r, 2016-04-22 19:35:49

whatthewhat said "    Enfyre said "Personal letters to prime ministers office is pointless and they won't be read, there's a chain of command, you have to send your concerns to either the MLA or MP, depending on whether its a provincial or federal issue.     Even then, a personal letter is pointless and won't accomplish anything, neither should it. It's a single opinion of ONE person, nothing more. If you want the concern to be actually acknowledged by a local representative, it needs to be a petition, how many signatures it has will dictate its importance.     Still, even then it's just the opinion of a vocal group of people and very well might not reflect the opinions of the population as a whole, this is why the government favours public opinion polls and in some cases focus groups, not petitions and especially not personal letters, sorry to say. " This is not what I have experienced, and hate to read your negative thoughts - sad to see you think this way! "

I'm not trying to be negative or rain on your parade or anything, I'm just being what I think is realistic. Take mailing the prime minister for example, there are probably thousands of letters sent to the PM annually, everything from rants to love letters, do you really suppose that they're all read and thoughtfully considered by the PM and/or advisors? I don't know about you but that seems highly unlikely.  
 
They are probably just quickly scanned over by low level staff looking for threats/etc, and issue stock/canned responses, or redirect people to other agencies or levels of government, such as in your experience. The whole service just for PR.  
 
I won't say that it's impossible to have success with personal messages to lower level politicians, but I will say that any politician that bases their agenda on the opinions of a few noisy people, without any due diligence to find out the broad spectrum opinions of all their constituents, are pushovers and are not fit to be representatives.  
 
Good politicians and government agencies do their due diligence, like polls, phone calls, etc. After all, they want to keep their jobs and be re-elected.  
 
I've been polled over the telephone many times to answer questionaires and give my opinion on hot button issues, I got to have my say and my fair share of influence, and no more, after all I'm just one person, you have to realize that you are also just one person, others might not share your opinions, and what you think is a good idea that will benefit everybody, others may disagree for many reasons that may be unforseen to you.  
 
Judging by your first post you seem very enthusiastic and passionate about having your voice heard and these issues you speak of addressed by the government, I don't want to be discouraging, to the contrary I want to be helpful in suggesting that perhaps in sharing these issues with other people, such as on this forum, and discussing them, provided that people are in broad agreeance, you could raise public sentiment and awareness, and create a larger voice than just your own.

I am still hoping to read about the specifics of what you did when you "made changes at the Provincial level"  
 
You started the thread. Share the details, please.