Port Elgin has had a by-law on the books since 1993 allowing businesses to open on certain holidays. Southampton is still using a 1976 law that allows businesses to open on every holiday except Christmas. Saugeen Township had no holiday business law.
The new law will cover all statutory holidays like Victoria Day, Labour Day, Family Day, Good Friday, and Christmas.
Small businesses like convenience stores, craft shops, gas stations, and produce stands are already allowed to be open.
The new law will cover all designated urban areas of Saugeen Shores.
Councillor Fred Schildroth was concerned that small businesses operating near rural tourist attractions like canoeing areas on the Saugeen River wouldn’t be able to open on statutory holidays if they wanted.
However, he believes if the situation arose where a business in a rural area wanted to open on a holiday, council would cooperate in allowing that to happen.
Schildroth says he doesn’t want to see business opportunities in the areas along the river impeded.
He wants to make sure the ability is there to revisit the by-law in the future so business in Saugeen Shores isn’t limited.
