A petition is used to draw attention to an issue of public interest or concern and request that action be taken.

A public petition, signed by Canadian residents and addressed to the House of Commons, the Government of Canada, a Minister of the Crown or a Member of the House of Commons, is one of the most direct means for people to communicate with Parliament.

Petitioners cannot directly petition the House of Commons. Only a Member of Parliament can present a petition to the House. The petitioners must send their petition to a Member with a request to present it.

Before a petition can be presented by a Member, it must be examined to confirm that it meets certain requirements established by the rules and practices of the House. A Member wishing to present a petition must first submit the petition to the Clerk of Petitions for certification.

A petition can be presented to the House by a Member, either by presenting it during Routine Proceedings or by filing it with the Clerk of the House during a sitting.

The rules of the House require that the Government reply to a petition within 45 calendar days of its presentation. If such a petition remains without a response at the expiration of this time, a committee of the House, designated by the Member presenting the petition, is required to look into the reason.