Discussions

Medicine Hat is fairly close in size to Brandon. Less than 10,000 more, but need to consider all the rural areas around Brandon that shop in Brandon add up too. Being there aren’t as many major cities around us as there are in Alberta.  
And yes I understand what you are saying that it won’t necessarily have the benefits that I’m suggesting. But then we don’t know that yet.  
I would just like to see the regulations lifted and have some business owners be able to make some choices for themselves. Like to be able to open on Good Friday if they wish, and pay their staff accordingly and follow labour laws. Without getting fined for opening.  
If they aren’t getting enough business to accommodate being open on a Sunday night, then don’t, but if you want to be open to try it, you should have the choice.  
That’s just my opinion.  
 
Edited by Cheezies, 2020-10-20 00:03:03

Missed this one yesterday ...  
it’s now official, the province has ended restrictions on business hours including Sundays. Municipalities could still pass their own bylaw to restrict if they choose to:  
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=50010&posted=2020-12-10

Hours are just going to cost businesses money. Staff, overhead etc. The mall tent used to be anywhere between 10,000 - 12,000 per month which is absolutely insane to begin with. I wonder if the mall will lower that rent if businesses are forced to be open but not making money.

The stores are costing their owners/operators money even when they are not open.  
An asset not used, sitting idle, is costing money. Better to be open and sell something than not.  
I appreciate there will be times of the day, as well as in the week, when sales are low or non-existent, but there will always be shift workers who will find more hours very attractive for shopping.  
In the UK stores were even open on Christmas day in certain communities, not every culture celebrates Christmas as we do.

Don’t think places will lose much money. I moved from B.C. and it was a huge adjustment not having stores open later on Sunday. Entire family was confused by it. Walmart superstore etc are a gong show on Sunday’s and i avoid them at all costs. With longer hours they will look less busy as i think people won’t all be rushing at the same time to shop. I think it may even encourage some people to shop Sundays. I’ll now go shopping at a later time on Sunday since it will be less congested.

In the UK stores are open Christmas Day and some grocery stores 24/7. If you go into Tesco on Christmas Day the place is empty. I remember the fight over there about Sunday opening years ago. And that is exactly why they can’t make money and they are all going under and closing ( covid is just accelerating it).  
I feel sorry for the staff forced to work unsociable hours.

The people that are excited about this are the people that don’t work retail and get every weekend and long weekend off.

you could look at in in a different light, maybe it will create additional jobs. Something that will be welcome when the pandemic is over.  
Those shop workers who want to work weekends will appreciate having days off in the week when other attractions are not so crowded.  
It also gives some folks a chance to allow a partner time away from children and to earn additional funds to help with living expenses.  
There are plenty of people who want to work shifts on a permanent basis.  
It may not suit your lifestyle but may suit that of many others.

I know lots of people excited about this and most of them don't get weekends off.

is "forcing " businesses to be open?

Bills are still due even if businesses aren't open to making the money necessary to pay them. My old store has been running on a limited capacity since I'm guessing phase two or three, but that's not changing.

but some people are reacting to the thread topic as though all businesses are being forced to open (extend hours) and employees are being forced to work which is not the case. The option is there now, that's all.