a) provide one hour off at the beginning of the employee’s schedule, allowing them to start work at 11am;
b) provide one hour off at the end of the employee’s schedule, allowing them to leave work at 5pm; or
c) provide three consecutive hours off within the employee’s regular work hours
All employers, with the exception of those in the transportation sector, are required by law to give time off work to vote.
It is an offence for employers to penalize or deduct pay from employees for taking time off to vote, or to fail to provide an employee with time off to vote as required under the Canada Elections Act. An employee must be paid what they would have earned during the time allowed off for voting.
Any violations, including “by intimidation, undue influence or by any other means, interfere with the granting to an elector in their employ of the three consecutive hours for voting” are punishable by a fine or imprisonment, or both.