Policy 3.1 - University of Guelph Election Policy

The official version of this policy is housed with the University Secretariat.  In the event of a discrepancy, the official version will prevail. Click here for a printable version of this policy.

Approving Authority: Assistant Vice President, Government Relations and Community Engagement
Responsible Office: Office of Government Relations and Community Engagement
Responsible Officer: Director, Government Relations and Community Engagement
Original Approval Date: October 28, 1980
Most Recent Revision Date: January 15, 2025
Previous Revisions: August 23, 2019, April 30, 2018

1. Preamble

1.1 As a publicly supported institution, the University of Guelph must remain impartial during federal, provincial and municipal elections, while supporting the democratic process. The University of Guelph recognizes the importance of civic engagement, academic freedom and its role in developing global citizens, and as such this document outlines policies and guidelines for campaign related activities on campus and at regional facilities during an election period.

1.2 Underlying Principles:

  • The University of Guelph is a non-partisan institution and neither supports nor endorses any particular candidate or political party.
  • As an academic institution, the University of Guelph encourages and facilitates scholarly debate on a wide range of subjects, including matters of a political nature.
  • The University of Guelph recognizes and respects the rights of individual participation in the political process. This participation should neither imply nor be seen to imply endorsement by the University of Guelph.

2. Purpose

2.1  The purpose of this Policy is to establish procedural protocols for election related activities at the University of Guelph during federal, provincial and municipal elections.

3. Scope

3.1 This Policy applies to all campuses and facilities of the University of Guelph, with the exception of the University of Guelph-Humber, which is governed by an equivalent policy at Humber Polytechnic.

3.2 Authorizations and arrangements required under this Policy shall be made by the Director, Government Relations and Community Engagement.

3.3 Authorizations or arrangements required under this Policy at regional campuses and facilities should be made through the relevant Director's office, in consultation with the Director, Government Relations and Community Engagement.

4. Definitions

4.1 Candidate: A candidate is defined under the Canada Elections Act and the Ontario Elections Act.  In the case of municipal elections, it refers to those running for the elected office of Mayor; those running for city or township councils; and those running for school board seats in the jurisdictions in which the University operates campuses and regional facilities.  

4.2 Election Period: The election period  commences with the issue of a writ for an election and terminates on polling day..

5. Policy

5.1 Display of Campaign Material

  • Campaign signs or promotional materials are not permitted to be posted or installed on the University of Guelph property, which includes all campuses and regional facilities.
  • Student residences are an exception; election signs are permitted to be displayed in a residence room and can be no greater than 0.47 square metres.

5.2 Use of University Facilities

  • All requests for the use of University of Guelph space for an election related activity must be made to the Office of Government Relations and Community Engagement.
  • University of Guelph facilities and resources, including logos or other branding, are not permitted to be used in support of partisan political activity.  

5.3 Canvassing on University Property

  • If candidates from any political party wish to carry out canvassing on campus or at regional facilities, they must first notify the Office of Government Relations and Community Engagement and appropriate arrangements that support the underlying principles in this Policy will be made.
  • An exception to the above, is canvassing in University of Guelph residences, which is outlined in 5.4.

5.4 Canvassing at University Residences

  • For the personal safety and privacy of students, arrangements for canvassing must be made in advance through the Director, Residence Life.
  • Candidates will be permitted to canvas door-to-door in apartment or townhouse style residences. Door-to-door canvassing is not permitted in dormitory style residences.
  • Candidates wishing to engage with students living in dormitory style residences will be permitted access by arranging use of a common room for a meet and greet style activity.  Booking arrangements must be made through the Director, Residence Life.  

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