How would you feel about businesses in Windsor staying open during all the holidays, with the exemption of Christmas Day?
A report to city council suggests it would save money and create a more level playing field for businesses while boosting tourism spending. Councillors may debate the issue Monday night, but the report is contained within council's consent agenda.
Under provincial legislation, retail businesses are expected to close on nine statutory holidays throughout the year, but there is a loophole. The language in the Retail Business Holiday Act gives municipalities the power to exempt retail businesses, so long as one day of the year continues to be observed. For most municipalities that have enacted a bylaw, that day is Christmas Day.
The report suggests the City of Windsor create a by-law that provides a blanket exemption city-wide.
Under the current by-law which was written in the 1990s, any retailer who wishes to remain open during a holiday "must make an application to the city along with a $200 application fee."
The trouble is, not many businesses are applying for an exemption, and the cost of enforcing closures, $18,885 annually, far outweighs revenue raised through the application process. The report argues the current exemptions are not cost-effective and burden a by-law officer's already heavy workload.
The other argument presented is that staying open encourages cross-border and regional tourism.
"Over the past decade, great strides have been made in positioning Windsor as a first-rate tourism destination," says the report. "During the spring, summer, and fall there is a different festival or event happening each weekend, many of which are nationally recognized."
The downside is that retail employees may feel they are forced to work on holidays since businesses will decide for themselves if they will remain open or not.