The Ontario Municipal Board is getting ready to rule on whether Glebe businesses can open on statutory holidays.
Three days of hearings are scheduled at Ottawa City Hall, with numerous witnesses expected to provide testimony for either side.
"Primarily it's the workers and primarily it's the businesses as well," says Sean McKenny, the President of the Ottawa and District Labour Council. "What we do know is that there are a number of people who do not want to see the stores open. Some of the smaller businesses don't want to do, but feel like they will have to now."
City Council approved a bylaw in February allowing the Glebe BIA to open on six statutory holidays, including New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving. The Ottawa and District Labour Council appealed the exemption saying workers deserve a mandatory day of rest.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says businesses should be allowed to decide for themselves whether or not they want to open on a holiday. Lansdowne, he says, has given the area a significant boost in tourism in traffic, similar to the ByWard Market.
"I think the city should spend less time micromanaging the hours of operation and allow the business community to open their doors to employ people and earn an income," Watson says.
Not all of the shops in the Glebe are in favour of the move, but those who are say it would boost business.
Alex Boyd's family has owned Compact Music for more than two decades. He says his family-run business is in favour of the move, especially considering up to 35% of all sales come from tourists.
"A lot of that is during holidays and we generally do really well," Boyd says. "I think it's just about getting the general population out during the holiday season."
It's unknown when a decision will come down, but the Ottawa and District Labour Council says there's a chance the tribunal's ruling could happen before Thanksgiving.
