Election Signage:

Question: Can my landlord stop me from putting a sign on my rented unit to support an election candidate in Canada?

Answer: In Canada, Hall Paralegal Services can help you understand your tenant right to display election advertising posters, since the Canada Elections Act protects tenants from having a landlord prohibit election signs on the premises covered by your lease, with only limited exceptions such as reasonable limits on size or type and a ban on election posters in common areas; to figure out what you can post and where, call (519) 258-2400 for a free half-hour consultation with a paralegal who can review your lease terms and advise on next steps.

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.