Do you need to find out if your business can be open on a statutory holiday? The Retail Business Holidays Act determines the rules.
Retail business holidays
The Retail Business Holidays Act says retail businesses in Ontario must be closed on these holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Family Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Stores that can stay open
There are some exceptions. Ask your lawyer to review the retail rules and provincial laws to find out if your store can open on holidays. We can't provide legal advice.
Some stores can stay open based on what they sell, their size, their number of employees, and other factors.
Apply for a tourism exemption
In some areas, such as Niagara Falls, a special tourism exemption by-law allows certain stores to open on a few holidays.
Visit the Niagara Region website to learn how to apply for a tourism exemption and how much it costs.
The application process could take up to four months to complete. This timeline is necessary because it involves scheduling the exemption application on council agendas at the city and regional levels. A bylaw needs to be passed, and there is an appeal waiting period before the bylaw can take effect. Before you apply, please contact the Regional Clerk for more details and assistance.
The Region does any enforcement related to these holiday openings.
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