Election Signage:

Question: Can a Vaughan, Ontario tenant be prevented from posting election signs for a preferred candidate on their rented premises?

Answer:   Lippa Legal Services can help Ontario tenants understand their rights under Canada Elections Act, S.C. 2000, c. 9, s. 322, which generally prohibits a landlord from banning tenants from displaying election advertising posters on the leased premises (and similarly limits restrictions in condominium settings).  A landlord may only impose reasonable conditions on the size or type of posters and may prohibit posters in common areas, and tenants should place signs only within the rental unit and not in shared building spaces.  If your landlord is blocking or removing your election sign in a way that seems unreasonable, contact Lippa Legal Services at (416) 241-4529 for prompt paralegal guidance on next steps in your specific situation.

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.