Ford Government Approves Shopping on Two Ontario Public Holidays
The Ford government is taking steps to change shopping regulations during public holidays in Ontario. Retailers will be permitted to operate on Family Day and Victoria Day. This decision follows numerous complaints from the public regarding major malls being closed during these holidays.
Public Demand for Holiday Shopping
During the Family Day long weekend, many residents reached out to Premier Doug Ford. They expressed their desire to visit shopping malls, including notable locations such as Sherway Gardens and Yorkdale Mall, which remained closed. Ford acknowledged this public sentiment and committed to exploring potential changes to the existing shopping laws.
Consultations with Retail Leaders
Premier Ford promised to collaborate with the Retail Council of Canada and prominent retailers like Wal-Mart, Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Home Depot. He highlighted the economic benefits of these changes, suggesting they could contribute significantly to the province’s GDP and generate approximately one million additional working hours.
Legislative Changes to Support Retail
Less than a month after Ford’s initial comments, his cabinet approved a plan to amend the existing Retail Business Holiday Act. Currently, this act restricts shopping on several public holidays, which includes New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, and Christmas Day, among others.
- Public holidays listed under the current act:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- Easter Sunday
While Family Day is recognized as a holiday under the Employment Standards Act, it previously was not included in the Retail Business Holiday Act. This meant employees were entitled to higher wages on this day.
Focus on Toronto’s Retail Landscape
The motivation behind this law change seems largely centered around the Greater Toronto Area. Ford expressed frustration over retail closures, specifically mentioning Home Depot. In Toronto, a city bylaw requires all retail shops to close on statutory holidays, with exceptions for small grocery stores, pharmacies, art galleries, and specific tourist areas.
Future of Retail on Public Holidays
The government’s new approach grants retailers the flexibility to open on Family Day and Victoria Day. However, Ford noted that it will ultimately be up to individual companies to decide whether to take advantage of this exemption.
This significant shift in policy signals the Ford government’s response to public demand for greater shopping access on holidays, shaping the future landscape of retail in Ontario.
