Get Bear Smart Society - Tips for Organizing Petitions

Petitions can be effective in raising awareness of an issue and letting politicians know the extent of support among their constituency.
Depending on how many petitions you think you can get in your own community, try to get them out in as many places as possible such as corner stores, community centres, garage sales, and bulletin boards. If you live in a community where an issue may be more controversial, you may need to be selective about where you circulate the petition. Your local humane society, and possibly a local environmental organization might be good places to start for signatures.
Try to get your friends and family to help you distribute petitions. If you have friends and family living in another community see if they will collect names there as well.
Its important to remember that you don't need hundreds of names to have your petition submitted. Even twenty names will work.
Once you've collected as many signatures as you can, try to set up a meeting with the appropriate government official to deliver your message. If a meeting is not possible, write a letter to accompany your petition.
You might want to follow-up with a phone call a couple of weeks after you sent your letter or had your meeting to inquire as to the course of action the government is willing to take.
If you are meeting with your MPP, you need to be very clear that you want he or she to table the petitions in the House. Ask your MPP to send you a copy of Hansard, so you know that he or she has actually completed the task. Most politicians will want to assist because it is easy to do and wins political points with constituents.
If you find out your MPP is a Cabinet Minister, you will be told that your representative cannot submit petitions. Please call us and we will put you in touch with the closest MPP who can submit the petitions.
If you have specific questions, you may contact Ainslie Willock, by phone: 416-922-4554 or by email: ainsliewillock@hotmail.com