CFA Survey of Party Leaders
The CFA has sent its questionnaire to all the major party leaders asking them to outline how their party’s policies will help franchisors and franchisees across Canada grow their businesses. We will ask them to outline their views on:
- Joint-Employer
- Labour & Workforce Development
- Taxes
- Red Tape
- Minimum Wge
- Product Stewardship/Environment
The results will be posted on October 11 to help you, our members, make your decision about who you are supporting on election day.
Important Information for Franchisors and Franchisees During the Election
Employers Must Grant Employees Time Off for Voting
By law, eligible electors must have three consecutive hours to cast their vote on election day. If your hours of work do not allow for three consecutive hours to vote, your employer must give you time off.
For example, if you live in a riding where voting hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and you usually work from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., your hours of work will not allow three consecutive hours for voting. To give you three consecutive hours to vote, your employer could allow you to arrive late (at 12:30 p.m.), let you leave early (at 6:30 p.m.), or give you three hours off at some point during the work day.
FAQ
Q1. Who decides when employees may take time off work to vote?
A1. Your employer has the right to decide when in the day to give this time off.
Q2. Can an employee lose pay for taking time off to vote?
A2. No. Employers cannot impose a penalty or deduct pay from an employee who is taking time off to vote if required by the Canada Elections Act. An employee must be paid what he or she would have earned during the time allowed off for voting.
Q3. Is there a penalty for employers who do not give employees time off to vote?
A3. Yes. It is an offence for employers to fail to provide time off for voting if required under the Canada Elections Act. It is also an offence for an employer to reduce an employee's pay where the employee has been provided time off to vote in accordance with the Act. The maximum penalty for violating these prohibitions is a fine of up to $2,000, three months imprisonment, or both.
It is also an offence for an employer to use intimidation, undue influence, or any other means to interfere with the granting of time off to vote under the Canada Elections Act. The maximum penalty for violating this provision is a fine of up to $50,000, five years imprisonment, or both.
Political Donations - Limits on Contributions, Loans & Loan Guarantees
Canada’s federal election finance laws put limits on contributions to political parties and candidates. Only individuals — not corporations or trade unions — may donate. Contributions are limited to up to $1,600 a year to each political party and up to $1,600 to all of the registered electoral district associations.
Find Your Riding
To find out which riding you are in please click here
https://www.elections.ca/homeGE.aspx
Advance Polls
There are several ways to vote before election day:
At any Elections Canada office across Canada – Elections Canada has over 500 offices open seven days a week from the time the election is called until the election. Vote at any one of them before the Tuesday before election day, 6:00 p.m. You will vote using the special ballot process.
At advance polls – Your assigned polling station will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Friday October 11 to Monday October 14
On campus – Vote at select campuses across the country (open for five days) about two weeks before election day. You don't need to be a student to vote on campus.
By mail – To vote by mail during the election, apply online or at any Elections Canada offices across Canada before the Tuesday before election day, 6:00 p.m.
For more information on the CFA’s 2019 federal election strategy and activities please contact:
David M. Black
Director, Government Relations and Public Policy
Canadian Franchise Association
T: 416-695-2896 ext. 297
E: dblack@cfa.ca