Labour council to appeal decision on Glebe holiday shopping

The Ottawa District and Labour Council says it will appeal a City Hall decision to expand holiday shopping in the Glebe.

City council voted Wednesday to allow retail businesses in the Glebe BIA to open on New Year’s Day, Family Day, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day and Thanksgiving Day.

Seven councillors voted against the BIA’s application: Catherine McKenney, Jeff Leiper, Riley Brockington, Stephen Blais, Diane Deans, Keith Egli and Rick Chiarelli.

Labour advocates fear letting more commercial strips have holiday shopping will open the floodgates across the city. Workers deserve time off to be with their families, the advocates say.

The labour council plans to file an appeal at the Ontario Municipal Board.

“If we didn’t think there was an opportunity there, we wouldn’t file,” labour council president Sean McKenny said after the city council meeting.

Under provincial law, a group can apply to a municipality for holiday shopping privileges if the area is within two kilometres of a tourist destination. In this case, council recognizes the Rideau Canal, Canadian Museum of Nature and Lansdowne Park as tourist draws.

There’s a 30-day appeal period allowing anyone to challenge council’s decision at the OMB.

Council is toying with the idea of declaring the whole city a tourist destination in 2017, Canada’s 150th anniversary year, to drive economic development.

Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley strongly supports piloting a citywide designation for 2017, but he’s not sure about subsequent years.

“I think there’s enough concern (small businesses) might not want to do that on an ongoing basis,” Hubley said.

Mayor Jim Watson said he believes shopkeepers should have the power to set their own hours, but he wants to let the business community weigh in.

“I think that’s a decision we should leave up to the local merchants,” Watson said.

If council’s decision holds at the OMB, the Glebe would join the ByWard Market, Rideau Centre, Rideau Street between Sussex and King Edward Avenue, the Loblaws on Rideau Street and the Sparks Street Mall as the only areas allowed to have holiday shopping in Ottawa.

Labour advocates fear letting more commercial strips have holiday shopping will open the floodgates across the city.