Ontario Employees May Get Paid Time Off to Vote in 2025 Elections
The 2025 Ontario provincial election is just around the corner, happening on February 27, 2025 . This is an important time for Ontarians as they head to the polls to elect their Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to represent them at Queen’s Park. If you’re an employee in Ontario, here’s something you need to know—you may be entitled to paid time off to cast your vote.
Under Ontario’s Election Act , employers are required to provide eligible employees with at least three consecutive hours to vote while polls are open. This means that if your work schedule doesn’t already allow for three consecutive hours within the voting window, your employer must adjust your shift—without any deduction in pay—to make sure you have the time to vote. However, the employer has the right to decide when during the workday this time off will be granted, as long as it ensures those three consecutive hours.
Polling hours on election day vary depending on your location:
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- In most of Ontario, polls will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) .
- If you’re in a district that falls under the Central Time Zone , polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
If your existing work schedule already allows for three consecutive hours during this period, your employer is not required to provide additional time off. But if your shift makes it difficult to vote, you have the right to request this time—and your employer must grant it without penalty .
Beyond voting, employees who are taking on roles under the Election Act —such as returning officers or poll officials—are also entitled to unpaid leave for these duties. If you plan to take leave for this reason, you’ll need to notify your employer at least seven days in advance . Employers cannot penalize employees for taking this leave, and it cannot be counted against vacation entitlement.
This law ensures that every eligible voter— anyone 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, and a resident of Ontario —has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process without worrying about work commitments. So, if you’re eligible to vote, make sure you understand your rights and take the time to have your say in this important election!
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