Retail Council keeps up Sunday shopping pressure

The Retail Council of Canada is meeting with P.E.I. Labour Minister Janice Sherry in an effort to have the last restrictions on Sunday shopping in the province removed.

'Why is it that the government is still in the business of trying to tell businesses that you can open at this time but you cannot open at this time?' Jim Cormier, Retail Council of Canada

P.E.I. last changed its Sunday shopping laws in 2010, when it removed restrictions that kept stores from opening in the winter months. It has retained, however, restrictions on opening hours, and larger stores cannot open before noon.

Jim Cormier, Atlantic Canadian director for the Retail Council of Canada, is on the Island Thursday to press to have those restrictions removed.

"The Sunday shopping debate, whether you were for it or against it, that is long over and done with," said Cormier.

"We're just trying to say why doesn't government get out of the business altogether of dictating to retailers when they can and cannot open their stores."

Store owners are the best judge of what Sunday shopping hours should be, said Cormier.

"Why is it, in the 21st century, when people are not working necessarily 9-5, Monday to Friday anymore, why is it that the government is still in the business of trying to tell businesses that you can open at this time but you cannot open at this time?" he said.

Early signs from the government are it is not in the frame of mind to make changes. Sherry said last week the restrictions are in place because they are important to Islanders.

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