Overview

As an institution of higher learning, U of T is pleased to facilitate student engagement in the election process.

The University recognizes that an vital element of political campaigns is the ability of candidates to canvass voters in their constituency. With regard to canvassing in residences on campus, U of T will comply with relevant law and foster engagement, while concurrently respecting the safety, security, and privacy of our residence students.

Federal Elections

The University will grant access to residences to candidates and persons acting on their behalf in accordance with s. 81(1) of the Canada Elections Act (“the Act”). With the considerations noted above in mind, and in accordance with the Canada Elections Act, for dormitory-style residences the University of Toronto will grant access to the common areas including common rooms and building foyers between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. We suggest that candidates contact the residence administrator who will assist in arranging reasonable access to these common areas.

For apartment-style and suite-style residences, access will be granted in accordance with the Act to the doors of the units, between 9:00am and 9:00pm. Again, we suggest that candidates contact the residence administrator to facilitate access.

Additionally, consistent with our status as a non-partisan institution, we would like to remind candidates that election signage is not permitted on University property. The exception to this rule is within a student’s residence room.

Provincial & Municipal Elections

With the above considerations in mind, the University of Toronto notes that – in the case of dormitory residences and residence rooms that do not have self-contained kitchen and bathroom facilities – candidates are permitted to make themselves, their designates or their campaign literature available in the common, publicly-accessible areas of residence including publicly accessible common rooms and building foyers between the hours of 9am to 9pm.

In the case of townhouse, apartment-style and other similar types of residence accommodation, door-to-door access is permitted between the hours of 9am and 9pm.

The University recommends that candidates contact the residence administrator who will assist in arranging reasonable access to common areas in University residences.

Additionally, consistent with our status as a non-partisan institution, we would like to remind candidates that election signage is not permitted on University property. The exception to this rule is within a student’s residence room.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please contact vp.students@utoronto.ca.