TCHC and Toronto’s Municipal Election
Toronto Community Housing's Elections Policy provides direction to employees, board members and tenants on how TCHC resources can and cannot be used during elections.
The policy promotes equality and fairness. No candidate should get special support or privileges from TCHC, and rules must be applied consistently to all candidates.
As well, the policy governs the roles and responsibilities of TCHC employees during an election campaign to make sure that:
- Tenants receive timely information during official election campaigns
- Tenants' privacy rights are upheld
- All contact with candidates goes through the proper channels
You can read the Elections Policy in full for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When are the municipal elections?
Toronto's municipal election will be held on October 24, 2022. These elections will elect Toronto City Councillors and a Mayor in the City of Toronto.
Q2. How can I vote?
You can vote a few ways:
- By mail before Election Day. The deadline to apply for Mail-in Voting packages is Friday, September 23 at 4:30 p.m. Learn more here.
- In person before Election Day at an advance voting location (October 7 to 14). For more information, check the City of Toronto's website, myvote.toronto.ca.
- In person on Election Day.
Registered voters will receive a Voter Information Card (VIC) from the City of Toronto. If you have not received your VIC or need to change your contact information, call Election Services at 416-338-1111 or visit the MyVote website.
For more information on accessible voting options, visit the City of Toronto's website.
Q3. Do I get time off from work to vote?
Voting hours on Election Day are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You are entitled to three hours in which to vote on voting day. This does not mean you can take three hours off work. It means you're allowed to be absent to give yourself three hours of voting time.
Typically this is at the start or end of your working hours. For example, if your working hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., you are entitled to leave one hour early so that you would have from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to vote.
Your employer may decide when it would be most convenient for you to be absent in order to vote. For example, if you work from noon to 6 p.m. your employer may decide that you should come in at 1 p.m., rather than leave work at 5 p.m.
Q4. Does Toronto Community Housing have an Elections Policy?
Yes, we do. The Elections Policy governs the roles and responsibilities of TCHC team members to make sure tenants receive timely information during official election campaigns, tenants' privacy rights are upheld, and that all contact with candidates goes through the proper channels.
You can find the Elections Policy and Elections Policy guidelines in full on www.torontohousing.ca
Q5. Are candidates allowed in TCHC buildings?
Yes. During a campaign, candidates have the right to enter TCHC buildings, knock on doors, talk to tenants and leave flyers behind.
Q6. Will TCHC share tenants' personal information to candidates?
No. TCHC will not share tenant lists with candidates or political parties. We respect tenant privacy.
Q7. Can tenants put up an election sign?
Tenants may put up signs in their home, including on the fence if there is a yard. Signs cannot be affixed to balconies or placed in common areas.
Q8. Can tenants host a candidates' meeting in a TCHC building?
Yes, but all registered candidates must be invited and room capacity limits must be observed.
Q9. Where can tenants obtain information about voting and registering to vote?
Tenants can visit the MyVote site at myvote.toronto.ca or contact Toronto Elections by email at elections@toronto.ca or by phone at 311.
