On Sept. 13, York Regional Council will hear a request from Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill to remain open on all public holidays, except Christmas. I am surprised that Hillcrest has waited this long.
Over the past decade, the regional council has heard requests from 13 large retail businesses asking to remain open on some, or all, of Ontario’s nine public holidays, including Christmas. Debate has centred on the following concerns:
The minimum wage worker likely prefers to spend civic holidays with family and friends, and small retail establishments don’t want more competition from big retailers. Some traditionalists prefer to recognize days of rest, and others (like me) want to preserve Christmas.
People who work irregular hours would be happy if larger stores remained open, as would the two million tourists who shop and contribute more than $450 million annually to the region’s economy.
In Richmond Hill, the only retail business that has been granted an exemption is the Oak Ridges Food Market. It claimed to meet the provincial rule that allows an exemption to holiday closures if the business is located within two kilometres of a “tourist attraction.”
With the Oak Ridges Moraine and other recreational and cultural sites nearby, it would be easy to argue that all of York Region’s retail stores should be exempt from holiday closures. However, council needs to celebrate the histories, cultures and religious traditions of Canada. Protecting holidays from the shop-till-you-drop culture is a start. I welcome all opinions and concerns at brenda.hogg@richmondhill.ca or 905-771-2498.