14°c A few clouds
6°c Clear
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Manitoba's Sunday shopping hours to be relaxed
The province will be consulting business owners and consumers on what hours – and other restrictions – will be changing.
Sunday shopping hours in Manitoba are going to be relaxed – but just what that means is still up for discussion.
Finance Minister Stan Struthers will make the announcement this afternoon during the presentation of the provincial budget.
The province will be consulting business owners and consumers on what hours – and other restrictions – will be changing.
"We don’t know the hours yet," said Chuck Davidson of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday morning. "Manitoba currently has the most restrictive hours in North America."
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce has been active for years in having Sunday hours extended. But the current times, from noon until 6 p.m., aren’t the only restrictions on a Sunday in Manitoba; employees also have the right to refuse work on the last day of the weekend.
"What we would suggest is that there won’t be restrictions," said Davidson, who adds there is a "balance" to be reached between businesses and employees.
"Let’s bring on the consultations... it would be great to have this in place before retailers go into the summer season," said Davidson.
Not everybody is happy with the anticipated changes, however. Jeff Traeger, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832, Manitoba’s largest retail union, said he was disappointed he wasn’t consulted on the contentious issue before it was included in the spring budget.
He is concerned that Manitobans not protected by a union collective agreement will be forced to work Sundays.
"I appreciate the desire for the public to want 'round-the-clock shopping, (but) those who want it are usually not the ones who have to work it," he said.
The more than 7,500 employees at Safeway, Lowlaws, Sobeys, IGA and Co-op stores have collective agreements in place, ensuring that Sunday shifts are voluntary and receive a premium wage.
Related video: Stan Struthers previews the provincial budget
History
Updated on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 9:31 AM CDT: Adds archive video
12:38 PM: adds reaction from Jeff Traeger
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
More Local
(1 of 30 articles for today)
First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
1:52 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Some good news, some bad news from weatherman
- Housing a little more expensive in Manitoba: RBC
- Manitoba senators weigh in on scandal
- Lake St. Martin reserve close to getting new home
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Quicker pickup of bulk garbage urged
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Police identify slaying victims
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Apple trick on Ellen falls short for city woman
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- 'Responsible Winnipeg' ads appear on sign run by mayor-owned Goldeyes' baseball park
- The end of the credit card?
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- A child-custody catastrophe
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Co-worker 'sick' today? Maybe it's the $17M flu
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- '2 minutes after I read the winning numbers, I retired': Winnipeg lotto winner
- Parents, community relieved and elated as missing boy found safe
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Man missing since 2009 found safe
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- City chiropractor guilty of beating, sexually assaulting ex-girlfriend
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- U of M president targets low tuition
- Baby steps toward empathy
- New units to help keep invasive aquatic species out of province
- New provincial restrictions on buying cigarettes
- Bethania board puts CEO on leave amid probe
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Fishing for fashion
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Core grocer a challenge: expert
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Newly minted MD a beacon for kids in youth program
- North End proud
- Power restored to Linden Woods after goose collides with lines
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Mental-health patients get own ER
- A child-custody catastrophe
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Steen invests $1M in family entertainment centre
- Earls on Main going, but new one coming
- Province introduces changes to rules governing landlords, renters
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Boost same-sex curricula: union
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.