Election Signage:

Question:Can my landlord in Ontario stop me from posting election candidate signs in my rental unit?

Answer:Bulat Paralegal Service can help you understand your rights under the Canada Elections Act, S.C. 2000, c. 9, s. 322, which generally bars a landlord from prohibiting a tenant from displaying election advertising posters on the leased premises, and allows only reasonable limits on size or type and a ban in common areas.   If your landlord is restricting or removing signs, Bulat Paralegal Service can review the situation and help you respond appropriately, including what to request from the landlord and how to document the issue.   For practical next steps in Ontario, call (705) 664-0334.

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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.

Note: Please contact Bulat Paralegal Service by phone at: (705) 664-0334 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

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.