The City of Windsor has launched an online survey to gauge public support to allow stores to open on statutory holidays.
While many stores do open, under provincial legislation, they are expected to remain closed on nine stat holidays a year, unless municipalities grant an exemption. The only stipulation is that businesses observe at least one statutory holiday a year. For most companies that day has been Christmas Day.
A report to Windsor City Council last summer suggested the process for granting exemptions was no longer cost-effective. The exemptions are almost always approved, and revenue raised through the application process, a $200 fee, do not cover the $18,885 cost of enforcing the bylaw.
Also, the report suggested it put an undue burden on already over-worked enforcement officers.
While the report touted the added benefits for tourism, the downside is retail employees may feel they are forced to work on statutory holidays.
If city council approves changing the Retail Business Holiday by-law, businesses will be allowed to choose for themselves if they want to open or not.
