Election Day - September 4, 2012

Message to all staff and all students from Line Thibault, Acting Secretary-General

Academic Activities

All classes, laboratories and examinations in all faculties and in the School of Continuing Studies are cancelled on Tuesday, September 4, 2012.

This action is taken in accordance with Section 306 of the Election Act of the Province of Quebec, which states in part:

306. … Every educational institution shall, on polling day, grant leave to those pupils and students who are electors.

If it is necessary to alter the Calendar of Academic Dates for the Fall 2012 term beyond the change announced here, the McGill community will be notified in a timely manner.  However, we can confirm that final examinations will end on the dates previously announced.

Work Schedules

All employees eligible to vote must be given four (4) consecutive hours for voting, not counting the time normally allowed for meals. In most cases, this requirement can be met by allowing staff to leave at 4:00 p.m., in accordance with Section 335 of the Act which states in part:

335. Every employer shall ensure that every employee who is qualified to vote has at least four consecutive hours free to vote while the polling stations are open, not counting the time normally allowed for meals. If an employee does not have such a period outside working hours, the employer shall grant the employee, at the time of day determined by the employer, the leave of absence required so that the employee may have four consecutive hours to vote. No deduction of wages or penalty may be imposed on the employee by the employer by reason of the leave of absence…