Can I Get Time Off Work to Vote in the Canadian Federal Election?

Question: Can I Get Time Off Work to Vote in the Canadian Federal Election?

Answer:

Employees who are Canadian citizens and at least 18 years old must be allowed three consecutive hours in which to vote on election day. If an employee's hours of work do not allow three consecutive hours in which the polls are open, then the employer must allow the time.

It is up to the employer to decide when to make the time available on election day, for example allowing the employee to arrive late or leave early.

Employers are not allowed to deduct pay or impose a penalty for the time off provided for voting.

There are some circumstances in which employers do not have to provide employees with three consecutive hours for voting:

• if the employee is employed outside his or her polling division
• companies that transport goods or passengers by land, air or water
• if the employee is employed in the operation of a means of transportation
• if the time off cannot be allowed without interfering in the transportation service

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