The County of Prince Edward wants the public to have their say on exceptions to the Retail Business Holidays Act.

The municipality is currently reviewing two by-laws allowing retail businesses within the municipality to sell goods and services on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving Day for the purposes of maintenance and development of tourism. The municipality is considering adding Family Day and Easter Monday to the exception list.

The public is invited to complete an online survey at  www.surveymonkey.com/r/66DXHWQ. The deadline to fill out the survey is March 13. The municipality is also hosting a public meeting on Tues., March 10 to receive input and comments. The meeting will take place inside the Council Chambers at Shire Hall beginning at 6 pm.

After the consultation, staff will prepare a report for Council with the feedback and options.

Under provincial legislation, retail businesses in Ontario must be closed on statutory holidays

The mandatory closures do not apply to municipalities if they have passed a by-law stating the act does not apply and have also passed a by-law requiring certain retail businesses to be closed on a holiday.

For more information contact Catalina Blumenberg, County Clerk, at 613-476-2148 extension 1021 or email [email protected]

To read by-law 2237-2008 please visit princeedwardcounty.civicweb.net/filepro/document/9090/2615-2010%20Amend%20By-law%202237-2008.pdf

To read by-law 2615-2010 please visit princeedwardcounty.civicweb.net/filepro/document/3217/2237-2008%20Exemption%20to%20the%20Retail%20Business%20Holidays%20Act.pdf

To read more on provincial legislation for retail business holidays please visit www.ontario.ca/page/retail-business-holidays

And to read the Retail Business Holidays Act please visit www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90r30