Election Signage:

Question: Can a landlord in Ontario stop me from putting election candidate signs on my rented unit or property, and what rules apply?

Answer: If you’re renting in Ontario and want to display election advertising signs or posters for a candidate on your rented premises, Bulat Paralegal Service can help you understand your rights under Canada Elections Act, S.C. 2000, c. 9, s. 322. In most cases, a landlord (or anyone acting for them) cannot prohibit you from displaying election advertising posters on the premises covered by your lease, and you can place signs within your rental unit.   The landlord can only impose reasonable conditions on the size or type of election posters, and they may prohibit election posters in common areas of the building where the premises are found.   For help reviewing your specific lease and the signage location rules that apply in your situation, call (705) 664-0334.

Tenants Have a Right to Use a Sign to Promote an Election Candidate

In Canada, as a free and democratic society, all persons may choose to support a particular candidate in an election; and, with very few exceptions, post signage in promotion of a preferred candidate upon the premises that such persons occupy.  This right expressly includes persons occupying rented premises; and accordingly, a landlord is forbidden from restricting the posting of election signs by a tenant.

The Law

The Canada Elections Act, S.C. 2000, Chapter 9 prescribes the protection provided to a tenant who wishes to advertise or promote a favoured candidate.  Specifically, the Canada Elections Act states:

Conclusion

A landlord may restrict election posters or signs to a reasonable size.  Additionally, a tenant holds the right to place a poster or sign only within the rental unit; and accordingly, a landlord may forbid posters or signs from being placed upon areas beyond the rental unit occupied by the tenant.