Election 2015: Workers guaranteed 3 hours to vote in Canada

Every Canadian has the right to demand three consecutive hoursfrom an employer to cast their vote,according to Elections Canada.

But don't get too excited, there are limits.

The rules do not guarantee allworkers get three hours off the job on Oct. 19.

Employers must simplyenable employees to have three hours minimum on Monday to get to polling stations and mark their ballots.

How it works

For example: if a person lives in a riding where voting hours are 9: 30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. PT and you work 11:00 a.m. until 7 p.m. PT, then the employer must allow the individual to arrive late or leave early to enable them to have three hours when polls are open during the day.

The employer gets to decide when to allow the time off.

Polls are open 12 hours in each time zone, but given many people's frantic schedules, it can remain difficult to fit voting in.

There are also exemptions for employees who work in transportation.

No pay docking

Employers cannot deduct pay or impose any penalty for employees trying to vote.

"An employee must be paid what he or she would have earned during the time allowed off for voting," Elections Canada's website says.

Penalties are tough

Refusing to give an employee voting time can lead to $2000 fine or even three months jail time.