Post by Dean Robinson on Feb 19, 2008 11:09:00 GMT -5
Working holiday for some; Not everyone benefiting from family day holiday
Posted By JACK POIRIER
www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=906500&auth=JACK%20POIRIER
Ontario's first Family Day might not be the happy day off for everyone envisioned by the Liberal government.
The statutory holiday on Monday has created stress and confusion for some area business owners and their employees, says Garry McDonald, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce.
"Giving up another productive day of work in our economy was not something we wanted to do," he said. "It's very disappointing the way this holiday was instituted. It doesn't appear to have been too well thought out."
To allow workers the day off, some businesses have been forced to take back another holiday from employees, which could mean working on dates like Easter Monday or the Civic Holiday, McDonald said.
Family Day was promised by Premier Dalton McGuinty in last year's provincial election campaign as a way to give families a day to relax and spend time together.
"A lot of businesses and employees aren't happy," McDonald said.
Some stores and retailers are allowed to stay open while others are forced to close, McDonald said, creating an "unfair playing field." Feb. 18 is one of nine holidays in the year on which most businesses in Ontario must close. There are exceptions, including:
stores or art galleries with less than 2,400-square-feet of customer service space and no more than three employees working at any one time that day;
pharmacies;
retailers selling gas or motor oil, books or newspapers, or nursery and garden supplies;
businesses licensed for liquor;
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premises used for educational, recreational or amusement purposes;
necessary services, such as laundromats, vehicle repair/rental, or accommodations;
establishments licensed under the Tourism Act.
City clerk Brad Loosley said Sarnia does have the option of passing a bylaw under the Tourism Act designation that would allow more stores to open on designated holidays.
The city currently allows exemptions only on Victoria Day and Labour Day.
But because the Family Day holiday was approved quickly, city council never had the time to look into a designation, Loosley said. Mayor Mike Bradley said Lambton Mall operators asked council to explore a tourist designation for Family Day, but given the process involved, there was insufficient time.
Any business that contravenes the provincial legislation can face a fine up to $50,000, or the total amount of sales for the day.