Oh Canada
I'm not usually one to dis the US, I am rather critical of many of its policies (rightfully so I think) but all in all I am happy enough to be a citizen. Now I have been visiting CA for about 3 yrs now and today I was once again impressed with a few key differences in the manner i which some things are handled.
Das, as I'm sure I've noted before, is bipolar and recently things have been a bit unstable. Today it came up with a friend the frustration we've faced she suggested I contact the local MP. Now I have heard of people contacting government officials but my experience has led me to believe that it is generally a wasted effort. I did it anyway.
The experience I've had has been startling. I called the first place which was incidentally the wrong place, they gave me the info to what they thought was the right place. Due to some recent redistricting the second place wasn't right either but not only did the person answering the phone give me the right people to call, they emailed me with links to non government entities that might be of help.
When I got the right place(s) Not only were they pleasant they were also extremely helpful. within a two hour time span several different places were contacted, things were arranged and much research and resources given. One of my delima's is somewhat unusual, it's winter and our house has oil heat, most have gas or electric and while there are many programs designed to make sure everyone is warm and cozy without regard to current income finding such a program for oil was for me an impossibility. One guy found two and urged me to let him know if they weren't helpful so that he could do more. Given that it's Friday afternoon and everybody in this country leaves work early it seems, I am rather impressed. Honestly I thought at best I'd get some stuff to work on Monday, leave a few messages, that kind of thing.
The accessibility to government officials here is crazy. You can stroll into your PMs office during office hours wout an appt and anyone can just roll up into parliament and watch. I think this increases the helpfulness of elected officials since they aren't "over there" while the constituents are unseen and unheard. I think we could learn a little something from that.
Das, as I'm sure I've noted before, is bipolar and recently things have been a bit unstable. Today it came up with a friend the frustration we've faced she suggested I contact the local MP. Now I have heard of people contacting government officials but my experience has led me to believe that it is generally a wasted effort. I did it anyway.
The experience I've had has been startling. I called the first place which was incidentally the wrong place, they gave me the info to what they thought was the right place. Due to some recent redistricting the second place wasn't right either but not only did the person answering the phone give me the right people to call, they emailed me with links to non government entities that might be of help.
When I got the right place(s) Not only were they pleasant they were also extremely helpful. within a two hour time span several different places were contacted, things were arranged and much research and resources given. One of my delima's is somewhat unusual, it's winter and our house has oil heat, most have gas or electric and while there are many programs designed to make sure everyone is warm and cozy without regard to current income finding such a program for oil was for me an impossibility. One guy found two and urged me to let him know if they weren't helpful so that he could do more. Given that it's Friday afternoon and everybody in this country leaves work early it seems, I am rather impressed. Honestly I thought at best I'd get some stuff to work on Monday, leave a few messages, that kind of thing.
The accessibility to government officials here is crazy. You can stroll into your PMs office during office hours wout an appt and anyone can just roll up into parliament and watch. I think this increases the helpfulness of elected officials since they aren't "over there" while the constituents are unseen and unheard. I think we could learn a little something from that.
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