April 7, 1998
(Environment and Labour)

The following statement was issued today by Oliver Langdon, Minister of Environment and Labour. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Last December, government amended the Shops Closing Act to permit shops to open on Sundays.

At that time, Easter Sunday was not retained on the list of shops closing days. It is government's intention to restore Easter Sunday as a shops closing day. Accordingly, we are asking members of this House for unanimous agreement to immediately amend the Shops Closing Act for the purpose of restoring Easter Sunday as a shops closing day.

Notice of motion was given yesterday. We are seeking the leave of the House to have all three stages of reading of the Bill, and the committee stage, dealt with today. Our objective in doing so is to amend the Shops Closing Act today so that Easter Sunday is immediately restored as a shops closing day.

I want to thank members opposite for their cooperation in bringing about a speedy resolution to this matter.