Global News has learned that the Ford administration will permit stores throughout the province to welcome customers on Family Day and Victoria Day. This comes after the premier voiced dissatisfaction over large malls being closed on provincial holidays.
Ford claimed he received a ton of calls over the recent Family Day long weekend from so many people wanting to go to shopping malls and asked why major shopping centers, such as Yorkdale Mall and Sherway Gardens in Toronto, were closed.
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Ford said he would consult with the Retail Council of Canada and retail behemoths like Wal-Mart, Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Home Depot, but at the time it seemed unclear if he would amend the law.
Ford stated on February 17, I know it would add to our GDP That would likely increase people’s earning potential by nearly a million working hours.
According to information obtained by Global News, the government approved a plan to permit provincewide shopping on Family Day and Victoria Day during an early-morning cabinet meeting on Thursday.
The province would need to modify the current legislation to permit the change, even though it’s unclear why the government chose those two days.
Shopping on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Easter Sunday is currently prohibited by the Retail Business Holiday Act.
Although it isn’t specifically mentioned in that law, the Employment Standards Act recognizes Family Day as a holiday which entitles workers to higher pay.
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The Eaton Center, the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area, and the Distillery District are among the retailers with a tourist area exemption, as are small grocery stores, pharmacies, and art galleries.
According to information obtained by Global News, Ford’s cabinet will permit a provincewide change that would exempt all retailers on the two public holidays.
Ford has emphasized that it would be up to companies to decide even if the government changed the law.
