Election Signage:

Question: Can a landlord in Ontario stop a tenant from posting election candidate signs in their rented unit and what rules apply?

Answer: Access Ontario Legal Services can help Ontario tenants understand the election sign rights in the lease and common areas by explaining that, under Canada Elections Act, S.C. 2000, c. 9, s. 322, a landlord may not prohibit a tenant from displaying election advertising posters on the leased premises, and a condo corporation may not prevent a unit owner from displaying election advertising posters on the unit premises;   while landlords may impose reasonable conditions on size or type and may prohibit election posters in building common areas, the tenant’s right is mainly to place the sign within the rented unit and not in areas beyond it; if you are dealing with a notice, conflict, or attempted restriction, contact Access Ontario Legal Services at (905) 302-1851 for practical guidance on next steps and how to respond.

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.