The City of Toronto is reviewing the bylaw that governs holiday shopping and the impact of allowing grocery stores and other retailers that sell prepared meals to be open on public holidays.
Toronto’s Holiday Shopping Bylaw states that most retail stores, including grocery stores, close on public holidays. There are some exceptions to the bylaw, including restaurants. Over time, grocery stores have changed their business models and now sell some food that is similar to restaurant fare, such as prepared and ready-to-eat meals.
A public consultation meeting is being held to provide the public an opportunity to speak with staff and provide feedback. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the North York Memorial Community Hall, 5110 Yonge St., rooms Gold A and B.
The bylaw, which regulates the types of retail establishments that can be open on public holidays and specifies the types of services that can be provided, generally requires retail businesses to be closed on nine public holidays.
Those holidays are New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
More information about the review is available at: http://www.toronto.ca/mlshaveyoursay.
Staff expect to report the consultation findings to the City’s Licensing and Standards Committee on October 20.
Sources:
www1.toronto.com
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