Retail closings on Family DayOntario Government Reminds Consumers And Businesses Of Closings Under Retail Business Holidays Act QUEEN'S PARK, Feb. 1 /CNW/ - Shoppers and merchants are reminded that under the Retail Business Holidays Act (RBHA), Family Day, February 18, is one of nine days per year when most stores in Ontario must be closed. This year is the first time that Family Day will be celebrated. The holiday will take place on the third Monday of every February. The RBHA allows book or magazine stores under 2,400 square feet with a maximum of three employees, pharmacies under 7,500 square feet, flower shops and gas stations to remain open on holidays. In some municipalities, local bylaws allow other stores to remain open in locations established as tourist areas by specific municipal by-laws. Any questions about tourism designations or local hours of retail operation should be directed to the municipal clerk's office. Minimum fines for opening businesses on days when retail operation is prohibited are $500 for the first offence, $2,000 for a second offence and $5,000 for a third or subsequent offence. Retail outlets may be fined up to $50,000 or the total amount of gross sales for the holiday, whichever is greater. The RBHA is administered by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and enforced by local police services in all municipalities, except for the City of Toronto. Under the Stronger City of Toronto for a Stronger Ontario Act, 2006, Toronto is exempt from the RBHA and has its own closing requirements under an interim by-law. Further information on Toronto's requirements can be found at www.toronto.ca/business. The RBHA strikes a balance between allowing certain retail businesses to remain open and providing employees and consumers with a common day of pause. To inquire about which types of retail operations are exempt from the RBHA and what businesses can remain open on Family Day, please call the ministry at 416-326-8800 or toll-free at 1-800-889-9768. For more information on Family Day and the Employment Standards Act, please click here to see the recent background release from Ontario's Ministry of Labour. -- 30--
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