A&P Canada Faces Charges for Opening Stores on National Holiday

ETOBICOKE, Ont. -- A&P Canada here is facing charges under Ontario's Retail Business Holiday Act after opening 69 of its 235 stores in the province on Canada Day, July 1, which is a national holiday, according to a published report.

The reason for the store openings was to "serve the needs of the customers," A&P Canada director, communications Tammy Smitham told the Canadian Press, adding that another important factor in the decision was that the holiday occurred on a Saturday, the biggest shopping day of the week. She further noted that the retailer was ready to face the consequences of its actions.

The provincial law, which makes it illegal for stores larger than 2,400 square feet and pharmacies larger than 7,500 square feet to open on certain holidays, covers New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, with the August Civic Holiday left as optional for businesses. However, the act allows municipalities to designate "tourism destination" zones in which stores can remain open on statutory holidays.

Canada Day marks the creation of the dominion of Canada in 1867.