Council in Prince Edward County is taking a look at the possibility retail stores can be open on statutory holidays.
A special council meeting was held at Shire Hall on Tuesday night to discuss the potential change to retail shopping opportunities in the County.
Currently, the Retail Business Holidays Act restricts businesses from opening nine days during the year, including New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
In 2008, a by-law was passed to permit retail businesses to operate on certain statutory holidays including Easter Sunday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving Day for the maintenance and development of tourism.
In 2010, another by-law was passed to include Good Friday as one of the statutory holidays that retail businesses were permitted to operate.
Community Development Coordinator Trevor Crowe says there were over 300 responses to a survey provided into the matter.
The majority of the responses were from customers who felt it was the decision of the retail store owner if they wanted to be open on a stat holiday.
Of the employees who responded, 55% felt retailers should not have the flexibility to choose whether to be open or closed on a holiday.
Crowe told councillors employees responded that they should have the right to holidays just like many other businesses as they have the right to spend time with their families as well.
Councillor Stewart Bailey agreed.
Crowe did mention employees do have the option to say no to working stat holidays but Councillor Kate McNaughton wondered if employees were aware of that right and if there was a fear of reprisal for not working a holiday, despite the power to say no.
Picton Sobey’s Franchisee Jamie Yeo says he regrets opening Easter Sunday.
He told those in the council chamber he likes how things are and he doesn’t need to be open any more than they are.
Councillor Janice Maynard says it sometimes is quite hard for small businesses to make a profit once employee wages at time and half are taken into account.
She says sometimes the employees aren’t thrilled to be there either as they want to enjoy the holiday as well and when she could, when she was a manager, she would convince the owner to close.
A further report is expected at the March 24 meeting at Shire Hall.
