Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government will “look into” possible changes to rules that force most shopping centres and malls to close on Family Day, a move that could reshape holiday retail operations across the province. The comments came during a news conference on Tuesday, following the February long weekend.
The current framework is governed by Ontario’s Retail Business Holidays Act, which requires most malls and major retail centres to close on nine statutory holidays each year, including Family Day. The legislation has been in place for decades and was originally intended to guarantee time off for retail workers while creating a consistent approach to holiday shopping hours.
Ford said that many Ontarians, particularly those in the Greater Toronto Area, would have welcomed more shopping options on the holiday. He noted that while he believes people deserve time off, there are also many workers who would like the option to earn premium holiday pay. He suggested that some retail employees may be eager to work additional shifts on statutory holidays if the opportunity were available.
He added that the idea is still informal and under consideration, describing it as something the government will explore to determine how realistic it might be. Ford also pointed to the fact that Toronto’s downtown Eaton Centre remained open under a tourism exemption, while suburban residents had fewer shopping options and would need to travel into the core to visit an open mall.
Patchwork Rules and Tourist Exemptions
While most malls in Ontario must close on Family Day, certain locations remain open under local exemptions. In Toronto, for example, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre is allowed to operate under a municipal bylaw that designates parts of the downtown core as tourist areas.
This creates a patchwork system in which downtown shopping districts can operate while major suburban centres remain closed. Malls such as Yorkdale Shopping Centre, CF Sherway Gardens, and Scarborough Town Centre typically close on the holiday, despite drawing significant regional and international visitors throughout the year.
Industry observers have noted that some of these centres, particularly Yorkdale, have evolved into major tourist and luxury retail destinations over the past decade. The addition of global luxury flagships and experiential retail concepts has increased their appeal beyond local shoppers, raising questions about whether the legislation reflects the realities of modern retail.
Economic and Workforce Considerations
Ford argued that allowing malls to open on Family Day could generate economic benefits while giving retail employees the option to earn premium pay. He said some workers would welcome the chance to earn time-and-a-half or other forms of holiday compensation, which could represent a significant increase in hourly earnings depending on company policy.
He also suggested that any changes would include protections to ensure employees are not forced to work if they prefer to take the holiday off. According to Ford, the intention would be to provide workers with a choice rather than a requirement, while also contributing to broader economic activity.
Ford added that the government would consult with industry groups, including the Retail Council of Canada, before making any decisions. He emphasized that no changes have been finalized and that the government is still in the early stages of evaluating the idea.
Labour Opposition Expected
Any move to expand holiday retail openings is likely to face strong resistance from labour unions, which have historically opposed similar changes. Organizations such as Unifor and UFCW Canada have long argued that statutory holidays provide essential, guaranteed time off for retail workers.
Labour groups contend that opening malls on Family Day could undermine family time, particularly for workers with children who are off school on the same day. They also argue that in many retail environments, the option to refuse holiday shifts may not feel realistic to employees who depend on consistent scheduling.
Past attempts to loosen holiday retail restrictions have faced significant pushback. In 2020, the Ford government considered reducing mandatory closure days as part of a pandemic recovery plan, but the proposal was abandoned after strong opposition from labour organizations.
Legislative Framework and Next Steps
Ontario currently mandates retail closures on nine statutory holidays, including New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Under the existing rules, small shops under 2,400 square feet, pharmacies, gas stations, and certain other businesses may open. Retailers that violate the closure requirements can face fines of up to $50,000 or the total gross sales for the day.
Ford indicated that the government will first explore the feasibility of changes and consult with stakeholders. It remains unclear whether any potential review would focus solely on Family Day or extend to other statutory holidays.
For now, the comments signal the start of what could become a broader debate about the role of statutory holidays in modern retail, balancing economic activity, worker rights, and shifting consumer expectations in Ontario’s evolving shopping landscape.
