EDITOR’S NOTE: West Edmonton Mall reversed it’s decision on Tuesday, saying the shopping centre would open at noon after Remembrance Day ceremonies instead of at 10 a.m. as previously planned. To read the updated story, click here.
Employees working in West Edmonton Mall are speaking out against management’s decision to open earlier than ever before on Remembrance Day this year – preventing them from attending ceremonies to pay tribute to our veterans.
Unlike Southgate, Kingsway, City Centre and Londonderry malls – all of which are opening at noon, West Edmonton Mall is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. this year. It marks the first time the mall is opening before noon on the holiday.
While there will still be a ceremony at the West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace, employees will be working and shoppers will pass by on their way to make purchases, instead of paying their respects.
READ MORE: Remembrance Day 2016 ceremonies in the Edmonton area
Employee Yvone Joubert said her colleagues were shocked by management’s decision.
“We feel very angered and upset because we don’t have the option or the opportunity to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony. For a lot of us it’s a very big part of our lives.”
Joubert is a new Canadian citizen for whom Remembrance Day is a special occasion.
“It means a lot to me because (it) has a personal connection to me being able to be here and have the life I have today.”
She said she wished employees were consulted before the decision was made to change the hours.
Some of Joubert’s colleagues questioned the move and she said they received a response explaining the decision.
“They wanted to be more competitive compared to the other malls,” Joubert said. “So it’s a frustrating thing to think they’re more focused on making sales and making money than honouring those who served.”
In a letter, management apparently suggested ways stores can mark the day.
“They’re wanting stores to turn their music off, I believe at 11 a.m., for a moment of silence. But that’s still encouraging people to shop and not attend the ceremony itself, and I find that very disrespectful.”
The idea was to pause and remember the sacrifices in the middle of the store. Joubert said that’s unrealistic.
“They’re still going to expect to be helped and that puts us in a difficult situation because we’re so focused on our customer experience, but at the same time want to be honouring those who served.”
Angela Faechner, a store manager at West Edmonton Mall, agreed.
“That’s not going to happen. It’s really tough. If people are in the middle of trying something on or just about to pay at cash – ‘oh I’m sorry. Just wait two minutes. We’re going to show our respect.'”
Both women are asking the mall to change its hours and open at noon, the same way it has in previous years. The mall’s own ceremony runs until noon.
“I’m in a store where we are directly in front of the ceremony. We can see that going on,” Faechner explained. “To be ringing transactions through and have our music playing – it seems really disrespectful for me.”
Faechner has some employees who are married to actively-serving members of Canada’s military, and had a hard time telling them the news.
“I was appalled. I thought, ‘this is so disrespectful to our veterans, to our military, if we can’t close just for two hours to show our respect’.”
Both of her grandparents also served in wars.
“I’m sorry to my grandpas. This seems to be so important, this retail business right now. I’m sorry that’s what the world is coming to.”
Global News made multiple attempts to contact West Edmonton Mall about the decision but did not receive a response.
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