Election Signage:

Question: Can a landlord stop me from displaying election campaign signs or posters on my rented unit in Ontario?

Answer: In Ontario, a landlord can generally not prohibit tenants from displaying election advertising posters promoting a candidate on the premises covered by the lease, though they may impose reasonable size or type conditions and may ban posters in common areas; this right is set out in Canada Elections Act, S.C. 2000, c. 9 at s. 322.   If your landlord is restricting your ability to post election signs within your rented unit, Empowered Legal Services can help you understand your options and prepare clear next steps with a professional legal advocacy team serving Ontario.   Call (855) 808-6510 for practical guidance.

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.