Election Signage:

Question: In Ontario, can my landlord stop me from putting an election candidate sign in my rental unit?

Answer: In Ontario, tenants generally have the right under the Canada Elections Act to display election advertising posters on the premises the lease relates to, and a landlord cannot prohibit this, except they may set reasonable size or type conditions and may prohibit display in common areas.  For practical next steps on where you can post the sign, what limits are reasonable, and how to respond if your landlord demands removal, Cross Legal Services can help with paralegal guidance across Ontario; call (289) 443-0675 for a free 1/2 hour consultation.

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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 Cross Legal Services by phone at: (289) 443-0675 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.