As most people are no doubt aware, Monday, October 21 is
Election Day, and federal law requires employers across Canada to
provide employees with paid time off to vote (unless an employee
has already exercised the right to vote by casting an advance
ballot).
Under the Canada Elections Act, employees who are
18 years of age or older and whose scheduled working hours conflict
with voting hours must be given three consecutive hours during
voting hours on Election Day in order to cast a vote (there are
limited exceptions for employers that transport goods or passengers
by air, land, or water). The paid time off can be given at a time
of day convenient to the employer, either at the beginning, middle,
or end of a shift.
