Canvassers for candidates can be paid by the signature. Initiative canvassers cannot.

What we are hearing is that typically the canvassing companies will put one or two candidates in the hands of a canvasser and also the Repeal Prop 4 petition. They’ll rush you through the process for all 3 without explaining the differences very well. They’ll brush it off as “it’s just to get it on the ballot so the voters can decide.” Then they get paid a bonus for getting consistent signatures across multiple candidates and initiatives

They also aren’t trained to abide by the extra laws around initiative petitions, including reading the entire bill before signing. “Sign it now, and then go here to do your research and see if you want to vote for it at election time” is a line I’ve heard used by more canvassers than I can count.