Shoppers in Ottawa have split 50-50 in an Ottawa Sun poll asking whether the newly-opened Whole Foods Market there should have been doing business on the day Christ was crucified. In fact, there is no way of knowing what those opposed to the opening were thinking. The people in favour just want to shop. In the past, province-wide polls have shown a majority would support all-holiday openings. Ottawa area MPP Lisa McLeod got quite exercised about the Whole Foods opening, but merely said that Ontarians must obey the law. She did not say that she would demand that a charge be laid. The fine might be as much as $50,000. In the past, a first offense has usually netted government coffers an amount equal to that day’s receipts. It is of interest in South Bayview because Summerhill Market opened Good Friday while other grocery stores were closed. And of course, Whole Foods is preparing a new store in the development at 1860 Bayview. Will we be discussing a rogue opening by that store in 2016? Maybe not. The issue of holiday openings in Ontario (and Toronto) is an incredible crazy quilt of “yes” and “no” even before we get to exempted workers like movie theatre staff. It is believed by some legal minds that the entire system is unsustainable in front of the Charter of Rights. But the question has never been referred to the court much less tested by the justices. And it appears there haven’t been charges laid either, perhaps because the government doesn’t want a well-heeled retailer to take it to the Supremes. Think about it.
