Ontario Proposes Allowing Retail Stores to Open on Family Day and Victoria Day

The proposal, announced March 13 by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, aims to give retailers the option to operate on the two statutory holidays while ensuring workers remain entitled to public holiday pay and premium pay if they choose to work.

“By giving retailers the option to open on Family Day and Victoria Day, we are supporting employees and businesses while giving families more choice and convenience to shop at their local retail stores,” said Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.

“These changes will give many employees the flexibility to agree to pick up extra shifts at increased pay, while maintaining their right to take the day off.”

Proposal Targets Two Non-Religious Holidays

The proposed changes would apply only to Family Day and Victoria Day, both of which are non-religious statutory holidays observed across Ontario.

Under the proposal, retail businesses would be permitted — but not required — to open on those holidays. Employees who choose to work would receive time-and-a-half premium pay in addition to their regular public holiday pay.

The government says the policy is designed to maintain strong worker protections while offering more flexibility to businesses and consumers.

All employee rights under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) — including the right for many retail workers to refuse work on a public holiday — would remain unchanged.

Addressing Inconsistent Municipal Rules

Currently, retail holiday rules vary widely across Ontario because municipalities have authority to regulate store openings under the Retail Business Holidays Act (RBHA).

As a result, stores in some municipalities may open on these holidays while neighbouring communities must remain closed.

Provincial officials say this creates confusion for consumers and uneven opportunities for workers and businesses.

For example, employees in one region may have the option to work extra shifts with premium pay while workers in another region cannot.

The proposed changes would create a more consistent province-wide framework for the two holidays.

Maintaining Worker Protections

The province says the changes would not weaken employee rights.

Retail workers would continue to receive:

• Public holiday pay

• Premium pay (time-and-a-half) if they choose to work

• The right to refuse work on a public holiday in many circumstances

David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said the proposal reflects changing consumer habits while maintaining protections for workers.

“Exploring a consistent, province-wide approach for retailers on Family Day and Victoria Day would give businesses greater flexibility while respecting the choice of workers,” Piccini said.

“As Ontario continues to grow, it’s important our rules keep pace with how people live, work and shop today.”

Potential Implementation Timeline

The Ontario government says it is aiming to have the changes in effect by Victoria Day 2026 if the proposal moves forward.

If implemented, the change would remove Family Day and Victoria Day from the Retail Business Holidays Act, meaning municipalities would no longer have authority to require store closures on those two holidays.

All other public holidays and existing municipal authority over retail closures would remain unchanged.

Provincial officials say the proposal is intended to support workers, businesses and consumers while modernizing Ontario’s retail framework to reflect how people shop today.

For more updates on Ontario government policy, labour rules and business developments across the province, follow GTA Today.