06-29-2006, 05:28 AM
Nova Scotia revamps Sunday shopping rules
Updated Wed. Jun. 28 2006 2:42 PM ET
Canadian Press
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's finance minister has confirmed the Conservative cabinet has revamped the province's retail business regulations to prevent large grocery store chains from opening on Sundays.
Michael Baker says details of the changes will be released later today after Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman signs the cabinet order.
The move is in response to recent Sunday openings by grocery giants Sobeys and Atlantic Superstore.
Under the province's Sunday shopping rules, food stores with more than 4,000 square feet of floor space are not allowed to open on Sundays.
But the two chains have started to skirt the regulations by dividing their stores into smaller units.
Baker says the regulatory tweaking is aimed at stopping the two chains from using that loophole.
He says stores caught violating the rules face a $1,000 fine per day and their corporate parents could face a maximum fine of $15,000.
Baker says the government intends to do all it can to honour the results of a 2004 plebiscite in which Nova Scotians narrowly rejected Sunday shopping.
Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada that bans large retail outlets from opening on Sunday, though there are several exemptions for smaller outlets, bookstores, pharmacies and tourism-related businesses.
Updated Wed. Jun. 28 2006 2:42 PM ET
Canadian Press
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's finance minister has confirmed the Conservative cabinet has revamped the province's retail business regulations to prevent large grocery store chains from opening on Sundays.
Michael Baker says details of the changes will be released later today after Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman signs the cabinet order.
The move is in response to recent Sunday openings by grocery giants Sobeys and Atlantic Superstore.
Under the province's Sunday shopping rules, food stores with more than 4,000 square feet of floor space are not allowed to open on Sundays.
But the two chains have started to skirt the regulations by dividing their stores into smaller units.
Baker says the regulatory tweaking is aimed at stopping the two chains from using that loophole.
He says stores caught violating the rules face a $1,000 fine per day and their corporate parents could face a maximum fine of $15,000.
Baker says the government intends to do all it can to honour the results of a 2004 plebiscite in which Nova Scotians narrowly rejected Sunday shopping.
Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada that bans large retail outlets from opening on Sunday, though there are several exemptions for smaller outlets, bookstores, pharmacies and tourism-related businesses.