Employment standards · Labour relations
How long is a strike vote good for?
A strike vote does not last forever. Enter the vote date and jurisdiction to see the last date a strike can start before a new vote is needed.
Federally, the vote must have been held within the previous 60 days (Canada Labour Code s.87.3(1)). In British Columbia a strike must start within 3 months of the vote (s.60(3)(a)). In Alberta the vote is void if no strike happens within 120 days (s.77(1)). The federal and BC periods can be extended by written agreement; in Alberta a lapsed vote needs a new vote.
When was the vote?
Last date to start a strike
Enter the vote date and press Calculate.
What this does and does not cover
This calculator only counts days or months from the vote date you enter. It does not tell you a strike is lawful. Notice, conciliation or mediation steps and, federally, s.89 preconditions also apply. See the 72-hour strike notice calculator for the notice period. The statutes do not spell out whether the vote day is day 0 or day 1, so this counts it as day 0: confirm the exact last day with the labour board.
Federal rules
Canada Labour Code s.87.3(1): a trade union may not declare or authorize a strike unless it has, within the previous sixty days, or any longer period agreed to in writing by the union and the employer, held a secret ballot vote among the employees in the unit and received the approval of the majority of those who voted.
British Columbia rules
Labour Relations Code s.60(3)(a): unless otherwise agreed in writing between the employer and the trade union, if the vote favours a strike a person must not declare or authorize a strike, and an employee must not strike, except during the 3 months immediately following the date of the vote.
Alberta rules
Labour Relations Code s.77(1): if no strike or lockout occurs within 120 days after the day on which the strike vote or lockout vote was conducted, the vote is deemed void and a new vote is required under that Division.
Sources, read 29 September 2026: Canada Labour Code s.87.3, BC Labour Relations Code, RSBC 1996 c.244 and Alberta Labour Relations Code, RSA 2000 c.L-1.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a strike vote last?
It depends on the jurisdiction: 60 days federally, 3 months in British Columbia and 120 days in Alberta, counted from the vote.
Can the period be extended?
Federally and in BC, the union and employer can agree in writing to a longer period. In Alberta a lapsed vote is void and a new vote must be held.
What about Ontario and Quebec?
They are not included because the rules have not been verified against the statutes for this tool.
Not legal advice
This is general date arithmetic, not legal advice, and it cannot confirm a strike is lawful. This runs entirely in your browser: nothing you enter is transmitted, stored, or logged.