Town considers dropping long-held Sunday shopping restrictions

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After almost 20 years of restricted Sunday shopping, Woodstock may be on the precipice of allowing stores to decide their own hours – a move that was made elsewhere in the province more than a decade ago.

The town has issued a survey to residents asking for opinions on changing the bylaw that restricts Sunday shopping from noon-5 p.m. The restrictions have been put in place since the province first allowed Sunday shopping in 2005. Most municipalities dropped their limited hours about a decade ago, but Woodstock kept them. Now, retailers are asking the town to catch up to the times.

Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones said it started when council received inquiries from local businesses in the late fall asking if an exception could be made to allow businesses to be open longer on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, as the the holidays fell on a Sunday.

She said the council was also asked to consider a permanent change at this same time.

“As we were researching how to do that, understanding that this is a relatively new council overall, some of us didn’t realize it was the town bylaw restricting the hours on Sunday,” she said. “So, the question was raised whether it was time to revisit this bylaw and its relevancy today.”

Jones said council discovered the bylaw created over 20 years ago had been permanently amended in 2017 to give permission for businesses to be open longer hours for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve when those holidays fall on a Sunday.

She said that discovery gave the council the opportunity to table the discussion for the New Year, to determine if it was something the council was interested in revisiting.

“At this point, we are simply seeking public feedback, so we better understand whether there is a general consensus one way or another,” she said.

During the Jan. 9 council meeting, Jones brought the discussion forward noting most villages, towns and cities in the province allow retailers to operate under the provincial days of rest act, at that time asked the council if they wanted to consider amending or repealing the current bylaw.

Coun. Christa McCartney, who owns a retail business in the community, said the town was the exception to the rule by restricting businesses.

“I think it is important we recognize it is up to the business owner to choose,” she said, adding some businesses won’t want to open longer hours, while some will.

Coun. Julie Calhoun-Williams said Woodstock residents should understand the “limited impact” of Sunday shopping rules on the retail community, adding the province’s Days of Rest Act includes numerous exceptions – including pharmacies, convenience stores and even liquor stores – with grocery stores listed among the few retailers the current Sunday shopping bylaw restricts.

Coun. Will Belyea echoed William’s sentiments, adding he saw few reasons the town shouldn’t consider repealing the current bylaw.

During the discussion, Coun. Jeff Bradbury cautioned council against making a rushed decision without public input and Coun. Norm Brown recommended they seek input from the Chamber of Commerce, the BIA, small businesses and others for input as well.

The council tabled the discussion to determine the best way to gather public input.

Jones said the survey would be shared with the business association and local ministerial associations who would encourage members to provide their feedback.

The survey link is available on the town of Woodstock municipal website, with paper copies of the survey available at the town office, which can be returned in person or by mail.