Ford government opens Victoria Day stores under new rules — Whats Open On Victoria Day
Ontario retailers will have the option to open on whats open on victoria day for the first time since the Ford government changed the rules for the statutory holiday. A spokesperson for Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Stephen Crawford said staff should not be required to work, giving workers a choice between extra shifts and the day off.
That change applies to Victoria Day and Family Day, and it comes after Doug Ford said on Feb. 17 that opening stores would add to Ontario's GDP. Ford also said the change would probably add close to a million working hours that people could pocket.
Stephen Crawford on Monday openings
The minister's spokesperson told Global News retailers would have the option to open on Monday. In the same statement, the spokesperson said, “By giving retailers the option to open on Family Day and Victoria Day, we are supporting employees and businesses while giving families more choice and convenience to shop at their local retail stores”.
The spokesperson also said, “These changes will give employees the flexibility to agree to pick up extra shifts at increased pay, while maintaining their right to take the day off.” For shoppers, that means store hours may vary by business rather than by a single holiday closure across Ontario.
Doug Ford on store closures
Ford pushed the idea after saying in February that he was inundated with calls from so many people wanting to go to shopping malls. He questioned why major shopping centres including Toronto's Sherway Gardens and Yorkdale Mall were closed.
He said on Feb. 17, “I know it would add to our GDP” and added, “That would probably add close to a million working hours that people could pocket.” The government brought the idea to cabinet less than a month later, and the plan moved forward.
Marit Stiles on family time
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles criticized the change and said, “The whole point is that people deserve to have some time off with their family”. She also said, “We have these holidays so everybody gets a chance to spend time with their family, and they should be able to.”
For workers and shoppers, the practical question on Monday is whether individual retailers choose to open under the new rule. The policy gives stores and malls that option, while leaving employees able to decline extra shifts and keep the holiday off.
