Position |
Vote* | Attend All Candidates Meetings* | Support or oppose a candidate and/or political party in federal, provincial and municipal elections, except Toronto’s | Support or oppose a candidate in a Toronto municipal election | Canvass or campaign on a Toronto municipal referendum question | Contribute financially to a campaign (except to a Toronto election campaign or referendum question) | Seek appointment or election to political office in accordance with employer and statutory leave requirements |
Be a member of a political party |
Yes = Permitted Political Activity and No = Restricted Political Activity |
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City Manager, City Solicitor, Deputy City Manager |
Yes |
Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
No |
City Clerk and employees that support the City Clerk to administer a Toronto election |
Yes |
Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
No |
Division Heads and Heads of Large Agencies[1] |
Yes |
Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Yes |
Designated Directors and similar positions, and heads of small agencies[2] |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Yes |
Employees responsible to enforce Article II, Election Signs of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 693, Signs |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Yes |
Employees who prosecute City by-laws or Provincial statutes |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Yes |
Employees who routinely provide governance and procedural advice directly to City Council, Agency Boards and their Committees or in the operation of the Office of the Mayor and Members’ Offices |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Yes |
Employees recruited by the City Clerk to support a Toronto election or referendum question |
Yes |
Yes | Yes |
No (in the Toronto election they are working in) |
No (in the Toronto municipal referendum question they are working in) |
Yes | Yes |
Yes |
All other employees | Most political activity is allowed, as permitted by Toronto Public Service Bylaw. However, if an employee feels that their political activity may appear to impact their duties or political neutrality, they should disclose it to their supervisor, manager, or Ethics Executive who may provide advice on how to balance their rights with their public service duties. |
*All employees have the right to vote and attend all-candidates meetings.[1] Large Agencies include Exhibition Place, Toronto Parking Authority, Toronto Public Health, Toronto Transit Commission, and Toronto Zoo.[2] Small Agencies include Arena Boards, AOCCs, Heritage Toronto, Toronto Civic Theatres, Toronto Atmospheric Fund, and Yonge-Dundas Square.