THE HERALD July 19MPge9 Sunday shopping issues still not resolved Sunday shopping has been hap pening in many retail outlets across Ontario One of the two Bills regulating retail store hours Bill was recently declared un constitutional by Judge James Southey an Ontario Supreme Court Judge Requests by the At torney General to grant a stay which would deny open Sundays until the original decision was ap pealed to the Supreme Court of Canada were denied This is fortunate because the current law will only be fully tested by that final appeal It unfortunate because the mood of society seemed to be ac reflected when Bill and were passed about one Petition blitz planned by RAIDD members Members of RAIDD Residents Against Indiscriminate Destruc tion and Development will be hit ting the streets Thursday with a petition against the proposed Maple Avenue condominium development The petition blib will take place throughout Georgetown and will continue until early next week We think that we 11 have a good response said Michele Fisher s Public Information Coor There are many people against the Maple Avenue condos and many more who are worried that if this goes through it could also happen in their neighbourhood The controversial if teen storey condominium proposal caused an outcry from area residents after the developers and Associates demolished a year old home on the lot an umbrella organiza of concerned citizens was formed shortly after the demoli The groups mandate is to raise public awareness of proposed developments in Halton Hills that will have an impact on the com The group seeks to maintain the unique character of Halton Hills by protesting unsuitable developments preserving valuable buildings protecting the environment and conserving natural resources year ago The legislation seemed to be working in most areas of the province Municipalities were put ting in place by laws which ac curately reflected the wishes of the local people In border areas cities like Ste Mane decided by referendum to favour Sunday shopping Several designations under the previous law were reexamined and granted by the appropriate local authority Most areas stayed closed Many allege the law in place before Bills 113 and was work reasonably well This was not the case In fact the previous legislation was almost impossible to enforce In this fact was what instigated the drafting of Bills 113 and 114 Large numbers of citizens throughout and indicated clearly they were oppos ed to wide open Sundays The climax came when North York voted against Sunday openings with the Mayor Mel casting the deciding vote This vote was followed by a Metro wide Regional Council vote against Sun day openings This Metro Council MYGENI STOREWIDE MY MAIN ST S GEORGETOWN Actom From Knox Presbyterian Church SUMMER HOURS CLOSED MONDAY Tubs Wad 10005 ThuraFri Saturday 10 vote was 30 votes against Sunday opening to 2 votes for Sunday open ing Just last month Metro Council rejected even limited Sunday open ing by a vote of 22 to 7 The folks seemed to talk against wide open Sundays However some people are shopping at the stores which are newly opened on Sundays Until the appeal is heard I expect this will continue It looks to me like the big guys will do everything they can to increase their share of the market This will be done at the expense of the smaller stores many of which are family operated business It will also force more of our workforce to work on Sundays At present about onethird of our workforce for various reasons is required to work on Sunday How much this percentage increases will depend on the success of Sun day openings from a sales point of view I expect if a store ing money they will close their doors on Sunday The good news for workers is Bill 114 which establishes for the first time in law a retail workers right to refuse Sunday wojk The one- third of the work force who already do Sunday work will logically con tinue to do so However if stores are opening for the first time employees do not have to work If an employer applies pressure the etrployees should contact the Ministry of Labour which will assist in resolving the dispute When taking a retail job for the first time an employee would be wise to discuss the employer Sun day work expectation in the inter view Hopefully in this testing period until the appeal is heard those who feel strongly about Sunday being a common pause day will refrain from shopping The clearest in- to the owners of a preference for Sunday closing will be economic Stores won stay open if they aren making a profit It was a disappointment when the judge declared Bill 114 un constitutional It will be another disappointment if the appeal is lost The Sunday closing legislation was beginning to work reasonably well across the province and ac curately reflected the wishes of the majority of the folks in small town Ontario Canadas Parks and Historical Sites Sources of wonders They re all around you In every part of the Country Canadas National Parks and Historic Sites Very special places where our natural wonders are protected and our ancestors are remembered Staffed by friendly knowledgeable people these unique places are there for you and your family to discover To enjoy And to cherish as part of your own family s traditions So make them part of your travelling plans this year For detailed brochures on Canadas National Parks and Historic Sites please call 613 or write Canadian Parks Service 111 Water Street E Cornwall Ontario 11 Environment Canada EnWronntmant Canada Park Service SerWca dat pares Canada