Ontario retail stores may now open on the public holidays of Family Day and Victoria Day under new provincial legislation [1].
The change provides businesses and consumers with more flexibility during statutory holidays. While the law allows operations, the government said the decision to staff stores remains with the employers and employees.
Premier Doug Ford said that "no one is going to force them to work" [1]. The legislation takes effect this Monday, May 18, for the Victoria Day holiday [1]. This move expands the number of public holidays on which stores may now open to two [2].
Business owners have expressed varying views on the policy. Some smaller enterprises find the financial burden of statutory holiday pay to be a significant hurdle. Bruce Winder said the added cost of statutory holiday pay is challenging for smaller businesses [3].
Other managers intend to maintain their traditional holiday closures to prioritize employee wellness. Darla Cowls, a manager at Plato's Closet, said she is choosing to close to give her staff a break from the holiday shopping rush [3].
The government said the primary goals of the legislation are to increase shopper flexibility and avoid mandates that would force employees to work on holidays [1]. By removing the restriction, the province shifts the operational choice to the individual business owner, provided they can find willing staff.
“"No one is going to force them to work."”
This policy shift reflects a deregulation approach to retail commerce in Ontario, moving away from mandated holiday closures toward a market-driven model. By allowing stores to open on Family Day and Victoria Day, the government is prioritizing consumer convenience and business autonomy over the traditional guarantee of a province-wide day of rest for retail workers.
