Regulating retail business holiday shopping in Peel

With some exceptions, most businesses in Peel must close on certain holidays.

The Region of Peel Retail Business Closings By-law 34-2018:

Regulates Peel Region retail business openings on holidays.
Stipulates that most businesses must close on certain holidays during the year.

Council enacted the Peel Retail Business Closings By-law on June 14, 2018.

For additional information about this by-law, email Peel Region Planning.

Affected holidays

Most Peel businesses must be closed on:

New Year's Day
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Canada Day
Labour Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Option to stay open on Victoria Day and Family Day

Retail businesses in Peel can now choose whether to open on Victoria Day and Family Day.

This change follows a new provincial law passed by the Government of Ontario. Bill 97, the Plan to Protect Ontario Act, 2026, removed these 2 holidays from the list of days when retail stores must close.

This change lets retail businesses decide whether staying open or closed makes sense for their staff, customers, and operations. Stores are not required to open on these holidays. The choice is optional.

Exemptions

General exemption criteria

In Peel Region, these types of businesses can stay open on holidays:

Establishments of less than 3,000 square feet that sell food, tobacco, antiques, or crafts
Pharmacies
Gas stations, nurseries, and book stores
Art galleries and tourism establishments
Retail businesses for education, recreation, and amusement
Liquor-licensed establishments

For the full list of exempt businesses, refer to Section 4 of By-law 34-2018.

Retail businesses in identified tourism areas

A retail business that does not meet the general exemption criteria can stay open on holidays only if it's located in a tourism area and identified within a local tourism strategy.

Local tourism strategies may also include additional criteria that need to be met for a business to stay open on holidays.

Grandfathered exemptions

Businesses that were granted exemptions to open on holidays under the Provincial Retail Business Holidays Act have been grandfathered until further notice.

Council has asked Regional employees to report options to phase out the grandfathering stipulations.

Enforcement and fines

Any non-eligible business that stays open on a statutory holiday in violation of the by-law may be fined.

The minimum fine is $500 for each offence.

Fines can be issued to any owner, operator, or employee who:

Conducts business on a holiday.
Admits the public to a retail establishment on a holiday.
Conducts or offer sales in a retail establishment on a holiday, or
Does not cooperate with an Officer for inspections.

The maximum fine is $5,000 per person in accordance with Schedule A, Section 6, and Schedule B, Set Fines of By-law 34-2018.

Related information

By-law and Regional Council direction

Regional Council Resolution from June 14, 2018, meeting
Region of Peel Retail Business Closing By-law 34-2018.

Provincial legislation

Reports

Council Report – Follow-Up Report Regarding Exemptions Included in the Peel Retail Business Closings By-law (October 11, 2019)
Council Report – Regulating Retail Business Holiday Shopping in the Region of Peel (June 14, 2018)
Retail Business Holiday Consultation and Policy Review by UrbanMetrics for the Region of Peel (April 11, 2018)
Council Report – Review of Applications Under the Retail Business Holidays Act – Supplemental Report Following Provincial Proclamation of Section 1.2 (June 8, 2017)
Council Report – Review of Applications Under the Retail Business Holidays Act (November 24, 2016)

For a copy of a report, email us.