Time Off to Vote Right — Get Paid Time to Cast a Ballot in a Federal Election

What Is It?

The Canada Elections Act gives most employees enough paid time off to have three consecutive hours to vote on polling day in a federal election.

Why It Helps

• Your employer cannot make work scheduling wipe out your vote
• The rule is paid time off in qualifying cases
• It applies even if you work long or awkward shifts

What Most People Don’t Know

• You only need enough time to create three consecutive hours while polls are open, not necessarily a full shift off.
• The employer usually chooses when the time is given.
• This is a federal-election rule, so provincial rules may look different.

Good To Know

• The employer decides when the time off is given
• If you already have three consecutive non-working hours while polls are open, extra time may not be required
• Separate rules can apply for advance polls or provincial elections

Sources

• Elections Canada — Time off work to vote
• Canada Elections Act (Justice Laws)