December 17, 1996
(Environment and Labour)

Hospital gift shops exempted from Shops Closing Act

Premier Brian Tobin announced today that shops operating in hospitals will be exempt from the Shops Closing Act. Under the act, government has the authority to exempt a trade or business from the act and the Premier said that this provision allows government to introduce this exemption immediately. "Shops operating in hospitals are unique in the clientele they serve and also because they provide a convenience to patients and their families. Given these circumstances I am, in concert with the Minister of Environment and Labour, taking immediate measures to ensure that hospitals are not prohibited from providing these extremely valuable services to the individuals who need them," he said.

The Department of Environment and Labour has responsibility to enforce the Shops Closing Act. The issue of "shops closing" has come to the public's attention in recent months as some shop owners are challenging the act by remaining open on Sundays. The competitors of these shops have filed formal complaints requesting that the department take immediate action by investigating such shops. Based on advice from legal counsel, the department has responsibility to enforce this act by completing investigations into the complaints filed.

These investigations, however, have been limited to complaints formally lodged with the department by shop owners. Throughout the fall, the department's investigators visited various proprietors alleged to be in contravention of the act. The hospital gift shops are the last in a long list of complaints filed with the department.

The Premier said this exemption indicates the need for the public, the business, and the labour community, to put forward to government their views on this legislation. "As well as providing this exemption, government will also in the new year, engage in a full consultation with the public to get their views with regard to the Shops Closing Act, particularly the issue of Sunday shopping. As public opinion appears divided on this issue," he continued, "this process will give government clear direction on this issue, which resurfaces every year at Christmas time."

Contact: Cathy Dornan, Director of Communications, Premier's Office, (709) 729-3564, or Teddy Ryan, Director of Communications, Department of Environment and Labour, (709) 729-2575.