A federal election will be held Monday, April 28, 2025. Pursuant to the sectoral collective agreements between CSSEA and the Community Social Services Bargaining Association and the Election Act, employees are entitled to a minimum number of hours off without loss of pay during voting hours on Election Day only, April 28. Polls will be open 7 am to 7 pm on Election Day.
Employees Covered by Collective Agreements
According to Article 20.5 (Elections) in the collective agreements:
Any employee eligible to vote in a federal, provincial, municipal, First Nation or other Indigenous election or a referendum shall have four consecutive clear hours during the hours in which the polls are open in which to cast their ballot.
Employers are not obligated to grant each employee four hours off work to vote where unnecessary. Rather, employers must provide sufficient time away from work to make up a four-hour block of time during the period that the polls are open on Election Day.
For example, if an employee is scheduled to work from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm on Election Day, the employee could:
- Start work at 11:00 am, thus having the four consecutive hours from 7:00 am to 11:00 noon in which to vote; or
- Finish work at 3:00 pm, thus having the four consecutive hours from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm in which to vote.
An employee who requires time off to vote is not permitted to choose the best time to leave work; they must take the time off at the convenience of the employer.
Please note that this Article does not apply to advance polling, which will take place from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on April 18 to 21.
Employees Not Covered by Collective Agreements
Employees not covered by the collective agreements are subject to the Election Act, which also entitles them to three consecutive hours free from work during the hours polls are open and are governed by the same principles as above.
More detailed information on voting is available on the Elections Canada website.
If you have any questions, please contact your HRLR Consultant or Advocate.