Time off to vote in the federal election

As you may be aware, the Canadian federal election takes place on Monday, September 20, 2021. Voting will be open in BC between 7:00am and 7:00pm.

UBC employees who are registered voters, and scheduled to work that day, are entitled to three consecutive hours free from work in which to vote. Employees with less than three hours of personal time between voting hours and the start or end of their working day may require paid time off, if requested. Employees who are scheduled to start work later than 10:00am, or to finish work before 4:00pm, will have three consecutive hours of personal time and do not require extra time off to vote.

Employees who do not have the appropriate time off to vote on election day may request time off to vote on advance polling days, provided they do not have three consecutive hours free from work during advance voting times.

If an employee makes such a request for paid leave, either on election day or for advance voting, it must be granted. However, Elections Canada confirms that the time off may be scheduled at the convenience of the employer. It is up to each department to determine whether an employee is to be permitted a late start or an early finish, if required.

UBC employees are encouraged to take advantage of advance voting at their assigned polling station, which will be open from Friday, September 10, to Monday, September 13, between 9:00am and 9:00pm. An option to apply to vote by mail is also available.

For more information about providing time for employees to vote on election day, visit https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/E-2.01/page-18.html#h-204835.

If you have any questions, please contact your Human Resources Advisor or Associate:

• UBC Vancouver: https://hr.ubc.ca/contact/contact-advisory-services
• UBC Okanagan: https://hr.ok.ubc.ca/contact/

Adam Charania
Associate Vice-President, Human Resources (Strategic Advisory Partnerships)