Sudbury businesses agree choice matters in store hours debate

Morning North11:07Store owners debate Sudbury shopping hours

Sudburians have been arguing about the city's shopping hours for years. They'll get to vote on the issue in a referendum in the upcoming municipal election. Sudbury store owners Valerie Michel and John Querney were in our studio to debate the issue.

Stores in Sudbury are preparing for a possible change in the local retail landscape on voting day.

And while many business owners want to be able to set their own store hours, others think the prescribed hours help to set Sudbury apart.

John Querney has spent years arguing against the city's store hours bylaws.

But if they are voted down in the referendum, don't expect late night shopping at his downtown office supply store.

"I'm not changing my hours, but that's my choice, he said.

Valerie Michel wouldn't extend hours at her south end hardware store either butdoesn't want the option.

"To protect families, I don't think there should be a choice, she said.

But if Sudburians opt to deregulate store hours, Michel said her business is willing to take the chance thatpeople will be shopping at their competitors who remain open.

We don't have to force our staff or even ask our staff that want to spend time with their family to come and work.

While other cities have bylaws requiring stores to be closed on certain holidays, Sudbury is the only one in Ontario to set hours for the regular shopping week.

Querney said it's an embarrassment for the city.

"Ask people down south, it's amazing how many people say, 'Seriously? You still have that law?'"

But Michel argues it's something to brag about.

"I think it's great to be different, she said.

What a wonderful thing if you're trying to decide where you're going to live, that you have the option of coming to a city where you can actually spend time with your family."

While they have differing opinions, both store owners agree that Sudbury voters will likely choose deregulation on Oct. 27. The results of the store hours referendum will only be binding if half of all eligible Sudbury voters cast ballots.