Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Extended shopping needs city approval

Manitobans may be able to go shopping on Sunday mornings starting next month -- as long as their municipality passes an enabling bylaw.

Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard announced Thursday changes to the province's Retail Businesses Holiday Closing Act come into effect Aug. 1.

But it's uncertain whether municipalities will be able to respond in time for shoppers to take advantage of the new provincial law immediately.

Last month, the Selinger government passed legislation allowing municipalities to extend Sunday shopping to between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Under current law, retailers that regularly operate with four or more staff can only be open between noon and 6 p.m. on Sundays. The new provincial law also allows retailers to expand their hours on Louis Riel Day, Victoria Day and Thanksgiving Day.

However, Winnipeg has yet to pass an enabling bylaw, city communications officer Alissa Clark confirmed.

Reached by phone late Thursday, Coun. Jenny Gerbasi said the city, theoretically, has time to pass the required bylaw by Aug. 1. City council next meets on July 18.

"There is time. If we had to do it, it could be done," Gerbasi said.

After July 18, council's next scheduled meeting isn't until September, though the mayor can call a special meeting.

Meanwhile, an official with one city shopping mall said even if the city does pass the necessary bylaw on time, retailers may not be ready for longer Sundays right away.

"I'd want to give my tenants lots of notice (of new Sunday shopping hours)," said Peter Havens, general manager at Kildonan Place Shopping Centre.

If Aug. 5 is going to be the mall's first opportunity to open earlier, "I really don't know if that's the right time to do it," Havens added.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 6, 2012 A14

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.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Rescue divers pull man from partially submerged vehicle

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • A Great Horned Owl that was caught up in some soccer nets in Shamrock Park in Southdale on November 16th was rehabilitated and returned to the the city park behind Shamrock School and released this afternoon. Sequence of the release. December 4, 2012  BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
  • MIKE.DEAL@FREEPRESS.MB.CA 100615 - Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 The Mane Attraction - Lions are back at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. Xerxes a 3-year-old male African Lion rests in the shade of a tree in his new enclosure at the old Giant Panda building.  MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

View More Gallery Photos

Poll

Are you going to see 100 Masters at the WAG?

View Results

View Related Story

Ads by Google