De-Regulated Store Hours August 28, 2002

Sunday Shopping in Other Jurisdictions Full Sunday Shopping is permitted in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia. In Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island the rules are as follows: Newfoundland –In December 1997, the government amended the Shops Closing Act (1977) to permit wide open shopping throughout the province. Prince Edward Island –In November 1992, Sunday Shopping was permitted during the last Sunday in November to the Sunday preceding Christmas. –Changes were brought about to curb cross-boarder shoppers leaving PEI to take advantage of Sunday openings in New Brunswick.

Sunday Shopping in New Brunswick a Case Study An amendment to the Day of Rest Act in 1992, allowed Sunday shopping from the first Sunday following Labour Day to the Sunday immediately preceding Christmas. This was extended in 1996 to allow Sunday shopping from the first Sunday in August to the second Sunday after Christmas. Now municipalities have the right to apply to the provincial Municipal Capital Borrowing Board for a Sunday Shopping permit. Some jurisdictions to make applications include: Rothsay, Dieppe, Uptown Saint John, Sackville, St. Stephen/ St. Andrew, Moncton, Miramichi, Shediac and Riverview.

Nova Scotians Support Sunday Shopping 67 per cent of Nova Scotians believe that retail stores should have the right to decide for themselves when they are open for business. Almost 60 per cent of Nova Scotians support Sunday Shopping in the province. If steps were taken to ensure that employees are not forced to work on Sundays, support for Sunday Shopping by Nova Scotians rises to above 70 per cent. Regardless of personal beliefs, 87 per cent of Nova Scotians believe that Nova Scotians should have the right to shop on Sundays if that is their preference. Approximately 76 per cent of Nova Scotians support the government permitting a temporary six-month Sunday Shopping trial period during the tourism season. (Corporate Research Associates, November 2000)

Sunday Shopping is Good for the Nova Scotia Economy The deregulation of shopping hours to permit Sunday Shopping would: –Result in approximately a $21 million increase in tourism revenue. –Create 300 full-time jobs. –Generate over $2.5 million in new provincial revenue. (Nova Scotia Department of Tourism) According to Randy Scotland of the Retail Council of Canada, retailers in provinces that allow Sunday Shopping find Sunday trails only Saturday in gross sales.

New Brunswick Gains While Nova Scotia Loses Public polls indicate that 1 in 10 people will travel to another city for the sole purpose of shopping. This will only increase now that the city of Moncton has introduced year round Sunday Shopping. (Corporate Research Associates, November 2000) According to Financial Post’s Markets Canadian Demographics 2001, retail sales are estimated to be $1 billion in If 10 per cent of shoppers begin travelling to other areas to shop, one could suggest that $100 million in retail trade annually is at risk.

The Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce Supports Continues to be a major issue for members of the Chamber of Commerce. Believes all retail businesses deserve the right to decide for themselves whether or not they will be open for business on Sundays. At the very least the Province should consider a pilot program on Sunday Shopping: –The pilot could be taken for a limited-term and in a limited geographic area. –We believe such a program would support our position that Sunday Shopping enjoys widespread support and will provide significant economic benefits to the Province as a whole.