Sunday shopping dilemma put to vote

Diane Trail
Atlantic Correspondent
atlantic@christianweek.org

HALIFAX, NS—Nova Scotians head to the polls October 16 to have their say on Sunday shopping.

Held in conjunction with municipal elections, the plebiscite will offer three options—no Sunday shopping, Sunday shopping for six weeks prior to Christmas, or year-round, seven days-a-week shopping.

Currently, only businesses considered part of an official tourist area and those below a certain square footage are legally allowed to open year-round on Sundays. Last year the provincial government allowed retail stores to remain open during the six weeks before Christmas.

According to the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS), "Nova Scotia is the only province not to have some measure of Sunday hours."

Opponents argue that Sunday shopping will hurt small businesses and retail workers, as well as families. TIANS argues for choice and says tourists would spend more dollars if retail stores were open on Sunday.

Nova Scotia Minister of Justice and Attorney General Michael Baker has said legislation "makes it clear that retail workers in businesses that currently have to close on Sundays have the right to refuse to work on Sundays. The bill prohibits any form of discrimination against workers…There is also protection for owners. It’s their choice whether to open."

However, Mark Parent, MLA for Kings North, is doubtful. "Employers cannot force prospective employees to work Sundays, but they can ask ‘What days are you free to work?’ and just not hire those unwilling to work Sundays."

"It is a justice issue," says Bob Britton, deacon of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and executive assistant to the archbishop of Halifax. "The church needs to stand up for those who have no voice. Those who are pro-Sunday shopping speak of the freedom to choose. Workers have no choice."

"Is it right if your choice deprives someone else’s choice?" Parent asks. "We are more than consumers. We are made for something higher and better."

Sunday shopping opponents have set up a website (www.daretobedifferent.ca) as well as distributing posters, church bulletin inserts and organizing a phone campaign. Britton and Parent have been writing letters to newspapers and addressing the issue in the media.

The TIANS and the Hotel Association of Nova Scotia have also launched newspaper, TV and radio ads, with a budget of approximately $100,000, according to CBC News.

According to a September 9 poll published by Corporate Research Associates, 56 per cent of Nova Scotians favour year-round Sunday shopping, while 38 per cent oppose it. In all, 401 Nova Scotians were surveyed.