July 6, 2012, Winnipeg — As early as next month, Manitobans will enjoy longer Sunday shopping hours.
Changes to the province’s Retail Businesses Holiday Closing Act will
come into effect Aug. 1, meaning Manitobans can start shopping on Sunday
mornings this summer in municipalities that pass bylaws to extend
Sunday hours, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard
announced.
The changes give municipalities the ability to extend opening hours on
Sundays and some statutory holidays, while protecting retail workers who
would rather not work expanded hours.
“These changes are in response to the desire of consumers and businesses
to find ways to make Sunday shopping in Manitoba less restrictive while
respecting that some employees may prefer not to work expanded hours,”
said Howard. “We have listened to what Manitobans have asked for and
made practical changes.”
The legislation:
- Expands the hours retail businesses can be open on Sundays under a
municipal bylaw by an additional three hours in the morning, widening
Sunday shopping hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Applies expanded hours to Louis Riel Day, Victoria Day and Thanksgiving Day
- Authorizes employment standards officers to order an employer to
compensate or reinstate an employee penalized for exercising their right
to refuse work on a Sunday - Affirms that retail workers have the right to refuse work on
Sundays, provided they give their employer at least 14 days notice.
(The full 14 days notice is not required for the first two Sundays of
August, however, employees must give their employer as much notice as is
reasonable.)
The Retail Businesses Holiday Closing Act allows retailers that
regularly operate with four or more people to open on Sundays or certain
holidays only if the municipality they are operating in passes a bylaw
allowing it.
Current exemptions, such as those for stores that operate with less than
four employees, will remain in place. Shopping restrictions on Good
Friday, Easter Sunday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day,
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day will also remain the same.
Print this page
