Store Closings On Family Day

 
 

February 9, 2009 2:50 PM

McGuinty Government Reminds Ontarians To Plan Ahead

Ontario is reminding residents to get ready to celebrate Family Day with loved ones - and plan ahead to get everything you need to enjoy this special day.

Under the Retail Business Holidays Act, most stores in Ontario will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2009, with the following exemptions:

  • Book or magazine stores under 2,400 square feet with a maximum of three employees 
  • Pharmacies under 7,500 square feet 
  • Flower shops 
  • Gas stations, and 
  • Stores exempted under specific municipal bylaws for tourism purposes.  

The Retail Business Holidays Act is enforced by local police services in all municipalities except the City of Toronto, where municipal by-law officers enforce the Toronto by-law that establishes Family Day as a holiday. For more information on the City of Toronto's retail stores closing by-law, visit the City of Toronto's website.



LEARN MORE

About exemptions under the Retail Business Holidays Act by calling the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services at 416-326-8800 or toll-free at 1-800-889-9768.

About tourism designations and local hours of operation from the municipal clerk's office in your municipality.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • Most stores in Ontario must be closed during nine holidays each year:
    • New Year's Day
    • Family Day (which falls on the third Monday of February)
    • Good Friday
    • Easter Sunday
    • Victoria Day
    • Canada Day
    • Labour Day
    • Thanksgiving Day
    • Christmas Day
  • Fines for opening businesses on these holidays are as follows:
    • $500 for a first offence
    • $2,000 for a second offence
    • $5,000 for a third or subsequent offence
    • Retail outlets may be fined up to $50,000 or the total amount of gross sales for the holiday, whichever is greater.



Ministry of Consumer Services
ontario.ca/consumerservices


 
 
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