On April 2 Easter Sunday was been proclaimed a Shops Closing Holiday under the Shops Closing Act. Accordingly, shops other than those exempted under the act, are required to be closed on this day.

Minister of Environment and Labour Oliver Langdon wishes to emphasize that Easter Sunday is not a paid public holiday under the Labour Standards Act. There are still only five paid public holidays under the Labour Standards Act: New Year's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Labour Day and Christmas Day.

Minister Langdon stated: "To make things clear, in January 1998, Government removed 52 Sundays from the Shops Closing Act. Today we are putting one back." Minister Langdon also stated that Easter Sunday will continue to be celebrated as a Shops Closing Holiday as it has been in the past.

Contact: Sean Kelly, (709) 729-2575.

1998 04 04                      3:00 p.m.