The Ford government is set to allow retailers across the province to open their doors to shoppers on Family Day and Victoria Day, Global News has learned, after the premier expressed frustration about major malls being closed on provincial holidays.
During the recent Family Day long weekend, Ford said he was inundated with calls from “so many people wanting to go to shopping malls” and questioned why major shopping centres — including Toronto’s Sherway Gardens and Yorkdale Mall — were closed.
At the time, Ford appeared unsure about whether he would change the law, but promised to consult with the Retail Council of Canada, along with retail giants such as Wal-Mart, Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart and Home Depot.
“I know it would add to our GDP,” Ford said on Feb. 17. “That would probably add close to a million working hours that people could pocket.”
It took less than a month for Ford’s musings to become reality.
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Global News has learned that, during an early morning cabinet meeting on Thursday, the government approved a plan to allow provincewide shopping on Family Day and Victoria Day.
While it’s unclear why the government settled on those two days, the province would have to amend the existing law to allow for the change.
Currently, the Retail Business Holiday Act forbids shopping on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.
Family Day isn’t enshrined in that law, but it is designated as a holiday in the Employment Standards Act, which means employees are entitled to enhanced wages.
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Ford’s interest in changing the law appears to be driven by the Greater Toronto Area.
“I wanted to go to Home Depot … it was closed,” Ford confessed on Feb. 17.
That closure is largely a decision by a City of Toronto bylaw, which dictates that all retail across the city “must close” on statutory holidays.
The only exemptions are small grocery stores, pharmacies and art galleries, along with retailers that carry a “tourist area exemption,” including the Eaton Centre, the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area and the Distillery District.
Ford’s cabinet, Global News has learned, will allow for provincewide change, giving all retailers an exemption on the two public holidays.
Ford has stressed that even if the government changes the law, it would be “up to companies to decide.”
I think this is slowly taking away these special days. Just because Ford couldn’t go shopping on a holiday makes you wonder out of almost 12 months you could go.
Yup, Toronto has the say in every thing. We treasure those days. Give those people a day off.
Disappointing to see these issues to be so important over more issues that should be looked at.
People should be spending time with their families instead; and think about the people who will have to work instead of having a well-deserved break
What a f&ck tool. This misogynist pig belongs on a spit!! Praise the people who work so hard. They all deserve a day off. Trump of the North is a glutton. 🤬
But will the beer store and LCBO be open.
Are you serious? Malls should be closed on Sundays for Heaven’s sake. With the serious problems in this country, people are upset about not being able to shop?!? God do something constructive like workout or read a book, watch a movie or actually using a phone to call someone for a chat without texting. Get real.
Awesome, Family Day will be just one more day I have no time to see my family. Thanks.
I guess if you work at a shopping mall, your family doesn’t matter
these people just don’t care…
allow people time off;
why does Ford has to pander to his buddies constantly…
actually care about the people for once…
don’t be a Trump….
Heaven forbid people who work in retail have a day off so rich idiots can shop. Sorry not sorry at all. Just ridiculous
Gee Dougie never worked a day of retail in your life? Retail workers get nothing off working 7days a week If you can’t buy it in 12 hours per day then something is wrong with you Also you couldn’t go to Home Depot on Family Day why not go to the US to Home Depot since you want to support an American business . Doug Trump
The way things are going Ford May as well let people shop every day of the year. What’s the point of having a Family Day Holiday if people have to work on the day. Seems that days when family’s can be together and enjoy time with each other are in the past
Why is it so important to open stores on Holidays?
We managed to live quite well when everything was closed Sundays, all you had to do was think ahead. This is just going to take more time away from retail workers as their employers will force them to work instead of enjoying some time off with their friend’s and family. Shame on you Doug Ford.
Holidays are meant to enjoy time away from the toils of life….this only creates a two-tiered system along with all of the others the Conservatives have created….
Sure lets make it that no famlies have time off to be with each other. Really people can’t get what they need with the hours stores are open now. Sad.
But now employees don’t get the stat holiday off…
You just lost my vote Doug Ford. Family Day was created so families can spend time together. I would think you would support that by making sure retail workers are not forced to work on the holiday.
A a retail worker, I actually use Family Day to spend time with my family. With both myself and spouse working full-time, the time we have with our kids is precious.
So yes, a paid holiday and being home with my family wins every time over bringing home a few extra dollars, after taxes, so that people have another day to shop.
If there are retail workers out there that want to work because they can’t afford a paid holiday, then we should collectively be asking why and working on a solution that puts a higher value on time over money.
This is an overreach and in truth, the same amount of sales will take place in 7 days as in 6 because there are only so many dollars being spent. The retail council is only concerned because they are paying people holiday pay. Let’s be real!
This will force the very people who never get a holiday with their family to work because they need the money. Why can’t the rich people get organized and get the stuff they need BEFORE the holiday, so that ordinary joes can have a couple days to call their own? And close the EatonCentre. It’s NOT a tourist designation!
People just need to plan better; people need holidays, Ford wouldn’t understand this. Getting every holiday and not working full time like the rest of us, maybe work on fixing hospitals and cleaning up things, rather than dump stuff like this or any of his other ways to make himself and his friends money ideas
Quite sad that todays society cannot just 2 days not shop. We have such first world priorities.
You have just lost votes. I guess people that work retail are not allowed to have days with their families. Only white collar workers.
Just more evidence that retail and restaurant workers are considered by elites to be second class citizens, undeserving of time off work to enjoy with Their families, just like the well-to-do folks get. The very same workers who were deemed “essential” during a pandemic and forced to risk their health for minimum or near minimum wages so the “higher classes” could indulge themselves with a break from their isolation, are once again denied the rights and priviledges of those others who get to spend time with their families and want “more freedom” to indulge themselves at the expense of the retail workers and their families. If Ford wants to put more money in the pockets of retail and restaurant workers, raise minimum wage or change laws to give all people a living wage for the work they do, dont take away what few opportunities for time with family, that the poorest people have access to.
For those who would have to work it would not be a holiday now would it?
It’s not a family day for those who have to work now is it?
So the white collar class can go shopping and the blue collar workers work. Hundreds of thousands of people just lost two days off because Doug wanted to shop at an American retailer. Captain Canada indeed.
Who asked for this? No one!
Slug ford is a right winger. Myself as a leftie, he’s destroying Ontario. He’s corrupt and needs to go! #dofomustgo
Lori. Dofo is nothing like trump. He is more like Carney catering to the elites. Oh wait I bet you think Carney is for the average folk. Dofo is a liberal in blue clothing. Plain and simple.
My store was open family day and yeah no one is wanting to go shopping lmao. Another case of Dougie’s pals sant to make more money.
I refuse to work on Family Day. Period.
One of yiur rich buddies complaining that profits are down and thoufht if we’re open on these holidays we’ll make more money and they’ll probably not have to pay time and a half for working a stat holiday they save money wow GREED GREED GREED
Tammy thank you the ford government should have to work these holidays as well
How many people walk around stores with nothing else to do and not actually shopping
It’s the only time retail staff get a break and a paid day off how selfiah of thise people being inconsiderate of others go work retail and not monday to friday
Nothing says Family Day without a Day with the Family.
Wonder how much he was paid for that move.!?
I think this is a terrible plan. Retail workers need time off with their families. People can already shop 7 days a week, so is it really necessary to shop on Family Day and Victoria Day. No, it isn’t. Many people are saying the price of food and everything else is so high that they’re struggling so why do they need more time to shop?! Find a new hobby. Ford needs to go. He’s the Canadian version of Trump. He panders to business owners and the wealthy. Leave the holidays alone and let retail workers enjoy time with their families.
Family Day should be for family time! So many employees look forward to spending a day with children, grandkids, grandparents. Just another reason to be upset that Premier is not thinking about us. Just the bottom line for major retailers.
That sucks for the retail workers.
Why is that Retail/food service workers don’t get a break on these holidays? God forbid someone can’t go shopping because of a government hooiday that gives these workers time with family & friends. So dumb.
The only way this is remotely acceptableis if the Ford Gov’t works these days too.
I feel he is so out of touch with working Ontarians.
He didn’t get my vote last time. He wont get it next time.
Dougie was the American owned staplers not opened when you had get driver picture done so family day had to go
So self serving
I normally try to avoid shopping malls at all costs.
FORD NEEDS TO GO HE’S A CANADIAN TRUMP AND CANADA DOESN’T NEED HIM
For retail workers to lose two holidays seems unfair. Holidays should be for all Ontarians, not just for those who are not retail workers.
I think this is awful. I’m sure when he consulted with the owners they were happy to have the workers work. Let people have time with their families. Is it really a sacrifice to give retail workers two days off? Terrible decision.
The only issue I have a problem with is that I would be against being forced to work on the holiday. I am sure that you could have staff that would love the hours. Do not make it mandatory to work on the holiday.
So no more family day????? Please rename it then.
People who work in the retail should deserve their family day.off, so that.they can spend their time with their families. It’s not fair for people who works in the governments and banks to be off while everyone who works in the retail sector has to work. When will this end where holiday is a holiday everyone deserves their time off.
I find it interesting that Pemier Ford would be upset wanting to go to an American owned outlet, when he should be frequenting Canadian owned outlets like Home Hardware!!!
ALL HOLIDAYS everything should be closed. I’m not in retail any more but it’s hard to work in that field. Let them have it off too, we can survive one day closed.
You can’t shop on family day, too bad. You have it off why make other people work. It is family day, be with family.
Weren’t these holidays, especially Family Day, a chance for almost all workers to be off and celebrating with their families?
Hey Douggy.
Maybe we that work retail would like to spend time with our families. Maybe the government people should work these days also. Because their not going to have to go in and work. Give your head a shock and think about people.
Maybe the banks and other provincial buildings that are typically closed should need to open as well. Heaven forbid that people should spend time together without the need to shop.
Increase our GDP by shopping on holidays? Laughable. Pathetic thinking.
Also, retail workers desperately need more holidays, not fewer.
We.can shop on designated work days.
I work retail. Why are we not able to spend those holidays with our families too. What is the point of “Family Day” if you Mr Ford are selfish enough to want to shop on a holiday? Go get what you need on Sunday which stores should also be closed on! Being closed on a holiday is the whole point of a HOLIDAY!
There was a time when stores were closed on Sundays just prepare and you’ll be fine no need to be open on any holiday the workers are people and they have families they want to spend time with to. Don’t be selfish
It is time for Doug Ford to go.
So, the people who work at these places all have to work just so others can shop. We don’t get a holiday at all. Typical of those who don’t work at these places. They just don’t want to spend time with their loved ones.
Of all times to keep retail workers working, why pick ‘Family’ Day? I mistakenly thought that it was for family members to enjoy one another.
Retail workers are already without support or respect.
Keep them closed on holidays people can go on others days the government has how many paid days off but hey that’s okay righ
Terrible! There are plenty of days available for shopping. What about those who have to work in retail!!??? These are much needed and deserved days off to spend with family. Disgusting.
I hope he dies soon
Retail workers in Ontario get but a handful of mandatory days off, give it a rest Bluto, it isn’t going to break the economy if the stores are closed for a day Send one of your flunkies to Home Depot during regular operating hours next time. It isn’t all about you.
When you have a buffoon who no one is sure what education he has become premier , why would he be concerned about education or families having quality time off. He should hand over his phone to see who actually called. Probably some corporate side kick. Any worker was enjoying a day off with pay.
Retail workers get screwed even more.
So it’s only a holiday for some. Heaven forbid you can’t shop on a holiday. Everyone should be able to have these days as holidays. Some may want to work and I think others will be forced to.
If Doug Ford gets Family Day off to spend time with his family, then everybody should get the same. Don’t voters working in the retail industry deserve holidays too. Last time I checked people don’t have alot of extra money to spend right now unless you are a politician
Statutory holidays exist so that everyone can have a day off. If you need to shop at Home Depot or anywhere else for that matter, plan a little better and shop on one of the other 360 days or so a year that all the stores are already open!
I wish they would close all stores on Sunday’s again. Like back years ago. Sunday’s should be for church and family. Not shopping.
Ridiculous! Forcing people to work and supporting over consumerism. We have to protest this!!
If he wants to so bad, Ford and his buddies should stand behind the counter and work!
Mr. Ford…
People need time off…I would think that the government has somewhat more important business to deal with…including, but not limited too canceling your radio ads about how good Ontario is….wasting millions of $$$$…jeez
My opinion is this is our biggest problem all around. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Not needed.
Go back to Sundays and Holidays closed. Monday-Wednesday and Saturdays open until 6, Thursday and Friday until 9. It worked for decades.
There is zero family time any longer. Children and teens need both parents at home. Families need to gather during special holidays. Our children and our teens need family bonding. It may keep our youth off the streets knowing both parents are home during meal time.
Besides, the more money you make the more money gets taxed. It’s not worth it to me. I’d rather spend $60 and have a nice family meal at home with leftovers, than go shopping, shopping, shopping and then spend $60 on fast food only to be hungry again in an hour.
Again, only my opinion.
“but promised to consult with the Retail Council of Canada, along with retail giants such as Wal-Mart, Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart and Home Depot.” – umm.. not to sound crazy, but those sort of people fixed the price of bread (+ everything else), I mean steak maybe, but bread? Anyways, not sure they have the general persons best interests in mind.
So those of us who work in retail get screwed again. We would like to see our families too.
Always about the money. People will be forced to work those days.
People can buy what they want on all the other days stores are open.
The people complaining have probably never worked retail.
Maybe Customers and Ford should realize that the people being asked or made to work these holidays would like to spend time off with their families. Always about the money.