Global Compliance Desk – Canada
Time Off for Voting during Canada Federal Election 2019
During the federal or provincial election, all jurisdictions in Canada require employers to give employees, scheduled on election day, time off to vote without a deduction in pay. October 21, 2019, is federal election day. The obligations under the Canada Elections Act, require employers to give time off to vote:
- Every employee who is an elector is entitled, during voting hours on polling day, to have 3 consecutive hours for the purpose of casting their vote and, if their hours of work do not allow for those 3 consecutive hours, their employer shall allow the time for voting that is necessary to provide those 3 consecutive hours.
- If an employee’s work schedule allows for 3 consecutive hours off (i.e., if it begins three or more hours after polls open, or ends three or more hours before they close), the employer is not obliged to give any time off.
- The time that the employer shall allow for voting, is at the convenience of the employer.
These provisions do not apply to an employee of a company that transports goods or passengers by land, air or water who is employed outside his or her polling division in the operation of a means of transportation.
Disclaimer: The material provided above is for informational purposes only and is subject to change. We endeavor to keep all material up-to-date and correct but make no representations about the information's completeness, accuracy, or reliability. Laws vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change and interpretation based on individual factors that may differ between organizations. The material is not meant to constitute legal advice and we suggest you seek the advice of legal counsel in connection with any of the information presented.
