Supreme Court of Canada: Mandatory "Secular" Holidays Do Not Infringe Charter Rights

In March of this year, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an appeal regarding a constitutional challenge of the Retail Business Holidays Act. Most of us thought this topic had died down some time ago.

The Retail Business Holidays Act  (Ontario) was enacted in 1975 to regulate shopping on holidays. Amendments in 1989 loosened the restrictions, and in 1993 Sunday shopping was allowed, except on Easter Sunday. In 1996, Boxing Day was removed from the list. Currently, Section 1 of the Act defines "holiday" as New Year's Day; Good Friday; Victoria Day; Canada Day; Labour Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day; and Easter Sunday.

 Read the full article here: Supreme Court of Canada Mandatory Secular Holidays Do Not Infringe Charter Rights- June 22-2006