Knocking on a door for the first time can feel scary. Many people secretly hope no one answers when they knock. This fear can feel even stronger if you come from a country where door-to-door campaigning isn’t common. But don’t worry, here in Canada, it’s a completely normal and accepted form of campaigning.

Knocking on doors is legal in Canada. In some countries, this practice is restricted or banned because of privacy concerns, public safety, or anti-corruption reasons. That’s not the case here.

Canvassers are legally allowed to access common areas in apartment buildings during election campaigns1. Building managers must allow entry for campaign purposes, unless doing so poses a security or safety risk.

Sidetrack

Just because you have the legal right to knock on doors doesn’t always mean you should. In some ridings, especially battleground ridings, we usually knock on doors even if there’s a large yard sign for an opponent or a “No Soliciting” notice. We may even try to convince building managers on-site to let us into common areas.

However, in other ridings, especially where the party is expected to win by a large margin, we don’t always do those things. Sometimes, campaigns prefer to avoid unnecessary conflict, especially if knocking could irritate residents or harm the candidate’s image.

That’s why it’s important to ask campaign staff about their door-knocking policy before starting your first shift.

We Go Canvassing in a Group

Most parties’ campaigning guidelines suggest sending multiple canvassers out together in the same area (called a turf). This means you’ll usually go canvassing in a small group. Canvassers may use a “leapfrog” approach, taking turns on alternating houses, or split up, with one person covering one side of the street and another the opposite side. Most of the time, you’ll be knocking on doors within sight of your fellow volunteers. If you run into any issues, you can ask them for help. If campaign staff ask you to go canvassing alone and you feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to speak up. They might pair you with someone or offer you a different task.

Knocking on Doors in a Pair

Knocking on doors in a pair offers more benefits than just safety. For example, if a male and female volunteer knock together, some voters, especially women, may feel more comfortable opening the door. If one volunteer gets stuck or unsure what to say, the other can step in and help. Pairing a new volunteer with someone experienced also allows the newcomer to learn by observing.

That said, we often split the turf by assigning one volunteer to each side of the street. Sending pairs to every door limits the number of homes that can be reached, which makes it harder to cover the full turf during busy election periods. While pairing has many benefits, it’s not always practical when time and coverage are priorities.

You Don’t Have to Know All the Policies

Many volunteers worry about what to say if someone asks a really specific question about a law or policy. Some even study hot topics before they start. But you don’t need to stress too much about this.

In reality, it’s rare for volunteers to be asked questions that require specialized knowledge.

If someone does ask a very specific question, it’s perfectly fine to say:

“I’m a volunteer. I’m not sure about that, but I can give you the campaign office’s contact information.”

Remember, you’re there to help a candidate, not the candidate or a policy expert.

You Don’t Need to Persuade People (Most of the Time)

In battleground ridings, where the race is close, persuading undecided voters is important. But there are many ridings where that’s not the main focus.

Unless you’re volunteering in a very competitive riding, beginner canvassers are typically assigned to identification or mobilization tasks, not persuasion.

If you’re nervous about trying to persuade people, consider volunteering in a safe seat (a riding where the party is expected to win easily), where the main focus is mobilizing supporters.

You Don’t Need a Car

You’ll often need a car to get from the campaign office to the canvassing area (called the turf), but don’t worry if you don’t have one.

In most campaigns, staff will take volunteers from the campaign office to the turf and back. You’ll just need to get yourself to and from the campaign office, and they’ll usually handle the rest.

You Can Ask Questions before You Start

Before each shift, campaigns usually hold a short briefing with volunteers and staff. If you have any questions or concerns, this is the time to ask. You can also mention anything you’d like your fellow volunteers to know, such as if you’re nervous, need support, or prefer not to handle certain tasks.

After the shift, there’s often a debriefing. This is a chance to share anything that came up during door-knock and ask for advice on what to do if similar situations happen again. Debriefings are a great opportunity to learn and improve with guidance from staff and fellow volunteers.

If You’re Not Confident in English or French

If you’re not confident in English or French, don’t worry. Canvassing tasks are simple, and there aren’t many types of conversations. The phrases and questions are quite simple, since your main role is to gather information.

If you’re still unsure, you can arrive at the campaign office a little earlier before your shift. Ask another volunteer or a staff member to practice with you by role-playing a few typical door-knocking conversations. You can also ask to shadow another volunteer for the first few houses, so you can see how it works before trying it yourself.

Key Takeaways from This Topic

Is door-knocking for campaigns legal in Canada?

Yes. Door-knocking is legal, including in apartment buildings. Canvassers are allowed to access common areas during election campaigns unless there's a security concern.

What if I feel nervous or unsafe about door-knocking?

You’ll usually canvass with a group or in pairs. If you’re asked to go alone and feel uncomfortable, let the campaign staff know, as they can pair you up or assign a different task.

Do I need to persuade voters when canvassing?

Usually not. In most ridings, beginner volunteers focus on identifying and mobilizing supporters, not persuading undecided voters.

Do I need to know all the party’s policies?

No. If someone asks a detailed question, it’s fine to say you’re a volunteer and offer the campaign office’s contact information instead.

Do I need to speak fluent English or French to canvass?

Not necessarily. Canvassing uses simple phrases. You can also ask to shadow another volunteer or practice before your shift.

What if I don’t have a car?

Campaign staff usually drive volunteers to and from the canvassing area. You just need to get to the campaign office.

Can I ask questions before canvassing?

Yes. Campaigns hold briefings before each shift and debriefs afterward. Use these to ask questions, express concerns, or request support.

Is it okay to knock on doors with a 'No Soliciting' sign?

It depends on the campaign’s policy. In competitive ridings, canvassers may still knock. In safe ridings, campaigns may avoid it to prevent conflicts. Always ask staff first.

References

  1. Canada Elections Act, Government of Canada ↩

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