Election Signage:

Question: As an Ontario tenant, can my landlord stop me from posting election signs for a candidate on my rented premises?

Answer: In Ontario, a tenant generally has a right to display election advertising posters on the premises covered by their lease, and a landlord cannot prohibit it except with reasonable limits on size or type and a ban on placing signs in common areas; section 322 of the Canada Elections Act governs this protection.   If your landlord is restricting your candidate signs, Caruso Legal Services can review your lease terms and help you take the right next steps, call (289) 271-0488 for paralegal support across Ontario.

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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 Caruso Legal Services by phone at: (289) 271-0488 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.