Election Signage:

Question: Can my landlord stop me from putting election candidate signs in my rented Ontario unit?

Answer: In Ontario, a landlord generally can’t prohibit a tenant from displaying election advertising posters on the premises covered by the lease, including in rented apartments, while only allowing reasonable limits on the size or type of signs and allowing bans in common areas.   The key rule is found in Canada Elections Act, S.C. 2000, c. 9, s. 322, which protects tenants’ right to display election posters, with the common-area restriction being the main exception.   If you need help understanding how to respond to a landlord’s sign ban or draft a clear notice, Marketing.Legal™ provides digital marketing support for lawyers, paralegals, and more across Ontario; call (800) 551-5751 for guidance on next steps.

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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.

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.