York Region's new 'undemocratic' holiday shopping bylaw comes under fire
Labour council to voice objections at Dec. 14 council meeting

YorkRegion.com
Dec. 11, 2017
Lisa Queen

Retail workers are upset York Region’s new holiday shopping bylaw could result in them potentially working on all but one day a year.

Many workers are expected to protest at the Dec. 14 council meeting, Toronto and York Region Labour Council president John Cartwright said.

“I expect several dozens of people to be there on Thursday but it’s a work day, of course, so it won’t be easy for everyone who would like to be there to attend,” he said.

“There are lots of folks who are unhappy.”

On Nov. 16, regional council approved the bylaw, which will allow stores as of Jan. 1 to open on every day except for Christmas Day.

The bylaw passed easily, even though Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti criticized councillors for failing to consult with residents and retail workers first.

The bylaw, approved out the blue, has infuriated retail employees and their families, Cartwright said.

“People who work in groceries and other retailers are furious that there was no public consultation before York Region council stripped away all of their holidays,” he said.

“It’s only fair that they allow people who are directly affected, whose holidays will be taken away, to at least say what their concerns are. It may be at the end of the day, they do make changes (to holiday shopping rules) but maybe it’s not as drastic as every day except Christmas Day.”

The labour council has launched a website called YorkRegionSpeaksOut.ca urging the public to tell the region that families need public holidays.