2023 Alberta Provincial Election: Managing An Employee's Entitlement To Time Off For Voting

During these days of voting, an employer may have an obligation to provide their employees paid time off to vote.

The Election Act (the "Act") in Alberta provides all eligible voters an entitlement to three consecutive hours to cast their vote on any of the days of voting.

The Act defines an "eligible voter" an individual who is, on Election Day:

1. A Canadian citizen;
2. 18 years of age or older; and
3. Ordinarily resident of Alberta.

Because work schedules can often conflict with voting times, circumstances can arise where employers must provide paid time off to employees to ensure eligible employees have three consecutive hours to cast their ballot. Where an employee's work schedule does not allow them three consecutive hours within which they can vote, theemployer must provide the employee paid leave time for voting as required.