The Government of Ontario is proposing new regulations under the Retail Business Holidays Act that would require many retail stores to close on Family Day and Victoria Day. The proposal was posted for public consultation on the province's regulatory registry on March 10, 2026.
If enacted, the rules would apply to most retail businesses with more than 2,500 square feet of public sales space, aligning these two holidays with other statutory holidays like Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. The stated aim is to provide more consistent time off for retail workers.
The proposal has sparked immediate debate. While some worker advocacy groups welcome the move for promoting work-life balance, retail associations have expressed concern about operational impacts and consumer choice. The public consultation period is open for 45 days, after which the government will review feedback before finalizing any changes.
The changes would not affect smaller stores, pharmacies, gas stations, or businesses in designated tourist areas, which would maintain existing holiday exemptions.
