What to say

‍

Templates are helpful, but personal stories are far more impactful. Please customize this letter with your own experiences, observations, photos, and concerns. Officials tend to discount 100 identical emails. Fifty personalized emails often carry more weight than hundreds of copies.

‍

For residents/neighbours

‍

[date]

‍

The Honourable David Eby

Premier of British Columbia

‍

The Honourable Josie Osborne

Minister of Health

‍

The Honourable Anne Kang

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

‍

Re: Opposition to the Proposed Overdose Prevention Site at 900 Helmcken Street

‍

Dear [Premier Eby / Minister Osborne / Minister Kang],

‍

My name is [your name], and I live near 900 Helmcken Street. I'm writing to directly express that I oppose the proposed OPS at this location. 

‍

I'm worried, and I don't want this decision made without hearing from people like me.

‍

This isn't just politics to me. It's my neighbourhood. It's where [I walk my kids to school / my family has lived for years / I feel at home].

‍

[Your story goes here. Tell them what this place means to you and why this site worries you. Have you already seen things change around here? Has it affected your family, your business, how safe you feel walking home? Don't overthink it, be honest.]

‍

Putting a site like this right in the middle of thousands of homes, small businesses, and one of the busiest parts of the city, without ever asking the people who live here, just isn't right.

‍

So I'm asking you, please stop the OPS at 900 Helmcken, and don't let it go ahead until you've actually talked to the residents who live here. Please listen to us before you decide.

‍

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

‍

Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Your address or business]

[Your email / phone]

‍

For local businesses

‍

[Date]

‍

The Honourable David Eby

Premier of British Columbia

‍

The Honourable Josie Osborne

Minister of Health

‍

The Honourable Anne Kang

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

‍

Re: Opposition to the Proposed Overdose Prevention Site at 900 Helmcken Street

‍

Dear [Premier Eby / Minister Osborne / Minister Kang],

‍

My name is [your name], and I own/operate [business name] near 900 Helmcken Street. I'm writing to directly express that I oppose the proposed OPS at this location. 

‍

[Your story goes here. A few sentences about your business. How long have you been here? How many people do you employ? What service/benefit do you provide your neighbourhood? What have you already dealt with, shortened hours, staff who don't feel safe, customers who've stopped coming? What would this site mean for you? Speak plainly, from your own experience.]

‍

This is one of the busiest, most vibrant parts of the city. Within a few blocks are restaurants, shops, small businesses, hotels, and thousands of homes, all part of a neighbourhood that people live in, work in, and visit every day. Dropping an overdose prevention site into the middle of all that, without asking any of us, isn't right.

‍

I'm asking you to stop the OPS at 900 Helmcken, and to commit to actually consulting the residents and businesses here before any decision is made. Please talk to us before you decide.

‍

Thank you for reading. I hope to hear back.

‍

[Your name]
[Business name and address]
[Your email / phone]

‍