Manitoba stores may soon be allowed to open longer on Sundays, but they'll will still be forced to shut their doors on Christmas Day, Labour Day and other major holidays.
The NDP government, which is launching review of its Sunday shopping restrictions, said Friday any changes will not affect the seven major holidays when stores must remain closed -- Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Labour Day, Canada Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and New Years.
"I think those are days that, certainly for Manitobans, are recognized as days when there isn't any shopping and I think it's a reasonable limit," Labour Minister Jennifer Howard said.
Business groups and many consumers have been pushing for a change to Manitoba's current law, which is one of the most restrictive in the country.
Stores are not allowed to open on Sundays and holidays unless a municipality passes a bylaw approving Sunday shopping. Even then, stores that regularly employ more than four people can only open between Noon and 6 p.m., as long as the Sunday does not fall on a major holiday.
With a high Canadian dollar and the growth in Internet shopping, some businesses have complained they are losing customers to the United States or the web.
A committee made up of business and labour representatives will review Sunday shopping hours, and will aim to report back in May, so that a bill can be passed before the legislature's summer break in June.
The government is inviting public comments online until May 11 at www.manitoba.ca/labour/standards
The new law could also expand the rights of workers to get some guaranteed time off. Manitoba retail workers currently have the right to refuse to work Sundays unless they were hired to do so. The government is looking at changes that could include a measure similar to one in Saskatchewan, which guarantees most workers two consecutive days off.
"We want to make sure we balance expanded shopping on Sundays with some protections for the workers who have to staff those stores to get some time with their families," Howard said.
