Sudbury opponents gear up for Boxing Day store hours battle

The new yearis just around the corner, and Sudbury is about to become re-engaged in a long-simmering political fight, over when retail stores should be open.

With precious few hours left to shop for Christmas gifts, the malls in Sudbury are packed, but by Dec. 26, they'll be completely empty.

A Sudbury bylaw says that all retail stores, with a few exceptions, must remain closed on Boxing Day.

But that could change next year, with a referendum on the issue in October.

While the vote is still 10 months out, interest groups are already gearing up for a fight.

The Sudbury Chamber of Commerces Andr Dumais says there is a big demand for stores to be open.

"Some of the mall operators have had to hire security to go to the stores on the 26th and tell the lineup of people that the stores aren't opening until the next day, he said.

Dumais says his group started fundraising in the fall to fund a big media campaign.

"The chamber's position is not to oblige people to open on Boxing Day, Dumais said.

Our position is to allow businesses to choose whether or not they want to be open. That choice does not exist at this moment."

Dumais says he's confident his position has public support.

Advocates of continuing to regulatestore hours say they are also preparing for next year, but have not started raising money yet.They argue retail workers deserve two days off each Christmas.

Local union director Derik McArthur said he's planning to work on the no side, and is already making a pitch for what he calls family values.

"Most workers enjoy the time off and being able to spend two consecutive days with their families, he said.

Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie are the only two cities in northeastern Ontario where the stores will remain closed on Boxing Day.

Sault Ste. Marie voted no to Boxing Day shopping a couple of years ago.