Controversial York Region holiday shopping bylaw upheld, begins Jan. 1

Council cares about 'almighty dollar' more than workers, labour president says

Yorkregion.com
Lisa Queen
Dec. 14, 2017

Despite protests from retail workers and union representatives, York Region has upheld a new controversial holiday shopping bylaw.

As of Jan. 1, stores across the region will be allowed to open their doors every day of the year except for Dec. 25.

Shouts of “shame” came from some of the dozens of protestors who came to the Dec. 14 council meeting after councillors refused to reconsider the bylaw, which was approved without public consultation on Nov. 16.

“I think it’s shameful that these holidays were taken away from 60,000 retail workers in York Region with no consultation,” Toronto and York Region Labour Council president John Cartwright said moments after the decision.

“I think it’s wrong that York Region council didn’t do public consultation. They had the opportunity now to correct that mistake and clearly a number of them decided that the public doesn’t matter, retail workers don’t matter, they’re listening to something else and that’s the almighty dollar. But around the Christmas season, you’re supposed to care about generosity and families and that’s not what we heard today at York Region council.”

Markham business owner Khalid Usman blasted councillors for failing to consult with residents before passing the bylaw, calling it a "breach of trust."

Cartwright and other union leaders are pledging to make the bylaw an issue in next year’s municipal elections.

However, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce president Debra Scott, speaking also for the chambers of commerce in Aurora and Vaughan and the Markham Board of Trade, said the new bylaw creates a level playing field for store owners across the region.

Up until now, business owners had to apply to open on holidays individually, leading to different rules in different areas, she said.