Manitoba to end restrictions on Sunday, holiday shopping

The Manitoba government wants to eliminate province wide restrictions on Sunday and holiday shopping, while allowing municipalities the authority to regulate retail businesses within their jurisdiction, Finance Minster Scott Fielding announced today.

“Manitoba is currently the only western province that restricts retail businesses from operating on Sundays and holidays,” said Fielding.  “Many Manitobans support allowing businesses to set their own hours, and we want to give Manitobans more freedom and flexibility on when they buy groceries.”

Fielding introduced The Retail Business Hours of Operation Act (Various Acts Amended or Repealed), which would no longer require retail businesses to close after 6 p.m. on Sundays and certain holidays.  This would also bring retailers more in line with certain businesses currently exempt from the act, such as pharmacies, liquor stores, casinos and restaurants.

“We committed to these changes in our election platform and 100-Day Action Plan to level the playing field for our local retailers so they can better compete with businesses exempt from current rules and 24-7 online retailers,” said Fielding.  “It’s time to modernize our outdated and complicated shopping laws, and remove approximately 40 regulatory requirements to reduce red tape for businesses.”

Under the proposed legislation, municipalities would have the authority to pass by-laws, should they prefer to keep some restrictions in place.  The province would work with municipalities to help develop bylaws if needed.  The province would also make changes to The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act, which would allow municipalities flexibility to regulate the hours liquor or cannabis is sold.

The minister noted the current rules will remain in place until the legislation passes.  He noted the province will maintain status quo on Remembrance Day closures and retail workers’ provisions for Sundays.

(Province of MB News Release)