Retail stores across Ontario may soon have the option to open on Family Day and Victoria Day as the provincial government prepares to introduce new legislation aimed at giving businesses more flexibility.
The proposed change was announced by the Ontario government on Friday and follows comments made earlier by Premier Doug Ford, who noted last month that many stores were closed on Family Day when he attempted to shop at a home improvement store. Ford has said that businesses should have the choice to operate on the holiday so they can generate revenue and provide employees the opportunity to earn holiday pay if they wish to work.
Under current rules, many retail businesses across the province must remain closed on certain public holidays, though the regulations can vary depending on the municipality. The government says removing Family Day and Victoria Day from the list of mandatory retail closure holidays would create a more consistent approach across Ontario.
If passed, the legislation would allow retailers to decide whether to open on those holidays, while maintaining existing protections for workers. Employees would still be entitled to public holiday pay and premium pay, and many retail workers would continue to have the right to refuse work on a public holiday without penalty.
The provincial government says it hopes the new law will be approved in time for Victoria Day this year, which falls on May 18. If enacted, the change would give businesses the flexibility to operate while allowing workers to decide whether they want to take part in the holiday shift.