With everyone's indulgence, I'd like to post something that appeared in the
most recent INFACT Canada Newsletter.  It is of particular relevance to
Canadians on LACTNET, as we go to the polls on June 2nd, and I think it will
be useful to all on the list as it can easily be adapted for any country.
Election time is one time when all the candidates and MPs will make time for
you, so no matter how you vote, you have an excellent opportunity to educate
each one about breastfeeding.  They may even make promises to which you can
hold them accountable if they win!  Here goes ...

INFACT Canada ELECTION WATCH !!         prepared by Elisabeth Sterken

Let your Members of Parliament know what you want!
Some things you can do:

1. Make an appointment to  meet with the candidates in your riding

*       Arrange the meeting with two or more members of your local breastfeeding
action
        group,
*       Let the candidate know in advance what you wish to discuss,
*       Prepare talking points for your discussion,
*       Leave information with the candidate for follow up action,
*       Be specific about actions you wish your candidate to support or act on and
        follow up!

2. Write letters to Minister of Health David Dingwall and Prime Minister
Jean Chretien.
*       Let them know that the regulation of the infant feeding industry is
important to
        protect breastfeeding and infant health,
*       Let them know that the current government position of no action to protect
        breastfeeding from commercial intervention is unacceptable to you,
*       Let them know that other industrialized countries have taken measures to
protect
        breastfeeding and implement the International Code - several members
of the
        European Union have banned free supplies to hospitals, free samples
to new
        mothers and direct advertising in parenting magazines,
 *      Let them know that Canada endorsed the International Code of Marketing of
        Breast-Milk Substitutes in 1981 and all subsequent relevant
resolutions at the
        World Health Assembly.  Ask why nothing is being done to implement
the Code and
        sunsequent resolutions?
*       Let them know that the protection of infant health is more important than the
        protection of the infant feeding industry,
*       Copy letters to members/candidates of the opposition parties and to INFACT
        Canada.

3. Send examples of violations of the International Code to Minister of
Health David
  Dingwall  and to Prime Minister Jean Chretien
*       Address to: House of Commons, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9
*       Remember,  no postage necessary.

4. Use the media
*       Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper,
*       Raise the issues at all candidates meetings where the media is present,
*       Send a press release from your local breastfeeding action group to local
radio,
        television stations and newspapers,
*       Let the local media know that you are available to do interviews,
*       Prepare information packages for your local media. Contact INFACT for back
        grounders.

5. Keep INFACT Canada informed

What to discuss with election candidates and the media

Similar to the tobacco industry, the infant formula industry aims to replace
a healthy normal infant feeding practice with an inferior product that can
damage the short and long term health of children and can also increase the
risk of osteoporosis and breast cancer for their mothers.

Similar to the tobacco industry, the infant formula industry misleads
consumers about its products. The infant formula industry promotes its
products as being just like mothers' milk or closer to mothers milk or like
breastmilk. The infant formula industry does not warn new parents about the
increased risks of diarrheal disease, respiratory disease, otitis media,
cancers for both young children and their mothers or that essential
nutrients are missing from their products.

Similar to the tobacco industry, the infant formula industry  tries to hook
expectant and new mothers to artificialy feed, a decision that is difficult
to reverse.

Similar to the tobacco industry, the infant formula industy uses free
samples, manipulates research and uses sponsorships to gain influence.  The
infant formula industry has been able to buy medical endorsement and
hospital assistance to gain product identity and loyalty.

Similar to the tobacco industy, the infant formula industry has been able to
influence political decisions to oppose regulation of the industry and
through the legislation of the International Code of Marketing of
Breast-Milk Substitutes.

Jean Geary
Fundraiser, INFACT Canada   [log in to unmask]   http://www.infactcanada.ca