Take time to vote
HSA members are urged to vote in the provincial election. The outcome of this election will have a profound effect on your working conditions, the health care and community services you provide, and other public services that your families, friends and communities rely on.
Several ways to vote
The last 2 days of Advance Voting are May 5 and 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time).
Tuesday, May 9th is BC’s provincial Election Day. Polls are open that day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).
Right to time off work for voting
Members who are eligible voters and who have not voted before Election Day, are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work to vote on May 9th.
This does not necessarily mean four hours off from work. It means you must have a four hour period with no work sometime between 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (PST). It is up to your employer to decide when you may take time off work to vote. Time off may be at the beginning, in the middle of, or at the end of your shift, or may be unnecessary if your scheduled working hours already provide the required 4 consecutive hours free from employment.
If your shift ends at or before 4:00 p.m., or does not begin until noon or later, then you are not entitled to any time off. But if, for example, you work 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., then your employer is required to allow you either 3 hours at the beginning, or 4 hours during, or 1 hour at the end of your shift, to provide you with 4 consecutive hours to vote. It is your employer’s choice which option to provide.
It is an offence if your employer deducts your pay or penalizes you for taking this time off to vote. You are entitled to your regular compensation for any hours not worked during this time.
Members are encouraged to discuss with their supervisors in advance, how staff will be provided with 4 hours to vote on May 9th.
You may vote at any voting location in BC, but it’s easiest to vote at your assigned voting location in the riding where you live. Registered voters should have received a “Where to Vote” card in the mail with your assigned voting location. If you don’t receive a card, you can find out where to vote on the Elections BC website.
Additional information is available on the Elections BC website, including who’s eligible to vote, identification required to vote, and a list of candidates in your riding.