Meet Your MLA

You’ve sent letters calling for big industrial users to pay more for our water— and for that money to go directly into defending and restoring BC’s watersheds. Thank you! If you're ready to do more, here's how you can have some serious impact.

BC's water rates are some of the lowest in the country and haven't changed in over a decade. This is a key moment to make sure this change actually happens, and that the funds go where they’re needed most: bolstering our natural flood defences, restoring wetlands and salmon habitat, and making communities more resilient to drought.

Help keep up the momentum and meet with your elected MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly of B.C.). In-person meetings make a big impact and are more likely to make your MLA take action. You do not need to be an expert in water policy or rates. We’ll give you talking points, facts, and key questions to ask — but what matters most is sharing why clean water and the health of your local watershed matters to you.

Step #1: Identify your MLA and request a meeting - or just show up to an event!

Visit https://www.leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members to find your MLA by name, community, or postal code. Use the “Contact” tab to find their constituency office email and phone number.

Call or email your constituency office. Let them know you’re a constituent and would like to meet to discuss industrial water rates and watershed security. If your MLA isn’t available, ask to meet with a staff member.

Step #2: Prepare for your meeting

Tips
• Bring a friend — there’s strength in numbers, and it helps to have one person take notes.
• Keep your group small (up to three people) and let the office know how many will attend.
• Bring a notebook or device for notes and any materials you’d like to reference.
• Speak from the heart. Be clear, courteous, and constructive — this helps build a lasting relationship with your MLA.

Step #3: Meet your MLA

Here’s a simple outline for your meeting:

Introduce yourself and anyone joining you.
Thank your MLA for taking the time to meet.
Explain why this issue matters to you. For example, this could be about drought affecting your local drinking water, fish or wildlife; flood risk in your community; or industrial impacts from things like logging, mining or development that are you are concerned about.
Describe your concern. Right now, industries like mining and fracking pay only $2.25 for 1 million litres of water. Communities and local watersheds are bearing the cost while big users get to use and pollute water at a discount.
Highlight solutions. Matching other provinces' industrial water rates would make sure the biggest users pay their fair share, and that revenue should go directly into watershed security, like preparing for droughts, wildfires, and floods.
Make your ask. Ask your MLA to call on Cabinet to:
- Increase industrial water rates in the next budget; and
- Direct those funds into watershed security and local water management.
Listen to their response. Take notes on what they say — they might share insights or suggest next steps. Ensure they are clear about what they are prepared to do on your issue.
Wrap up. Thank them again for their time and ask for a quick photo if appropriate.

Step #4: Follow up

After your meeting, send a short thank-you email. Include any information or resources you discussed and let us know how it went. We’re tracking MLA meetings across the province to show just how many British Columbians care about watershed security.