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2 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, December 23, 1986 Reaction favourable to Sunday closings (From page 1) on Sunday opening laws. His store has never been open on a Sunday or holiday and he said he's a strong believer in "having a day when most stores are closed." Earlier this year, when the local municipal council had been asked to support a request to have Port Perry declared a tourist area to per- mit Sunday openings, Mr. Carnegie presented a strongly worded brief to the council in opposition to the move. Wayne Luke, of Luke's Country Store in Port Perry told the Star the Supreme Court ruling won't affect his business because his store is less than 2400 square feet, has just two employees when open on Sundays and sells Canadian crafts and merchandise. He said the store is open Sunday afternoons during the spring, sum- mer and fall, but will close for the winter months on Sundays right after Christmas. Stores with less than 2400 square feet, less than three employees and sell certain merchandise items are exempt from the Sunday closing legislation. Tom Mitchell of Settlement House said he will continue to keep his business open Sundays because his store meets the exemption guidelines spelled out in the Act. He declined further comment on the issue other than to say the Supreme Court ruling will not affect his business being open on Sundays. Scugog Chamber of Commerce president Peter Hvidsten said he personally "is not disappointed that the Sunday opening laws have not been thrown wide open across the province." He said he likes to see limited openings for ce. tain types of stores, and would like to see the restriction changed so that any store under 2400 square feet with three or less employees can stay open. He noted that at present, only those selling antiques, handicrafts, foodstuffs, newspapers or periodicals are exempt. In handing down its decision last Thursday, the Supreme Court found that the Ontario law does indeed abridge the freedom of religion of persons whose Sabbath is on Satur- days, but the Judges ruled this is a justifiable and reasonable limit under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. WHY WAIT UNTIL NEXT SPRING OR SUMMER FOR THAT NEW VEHICLE ? ON APPROVED CREDIT ON ALL IN STOCK VEHICLES LIMITED TIME OFFER UNTIL DECEMBER 31st, 1986 ONLY 576 1800 The decision came at a time when more and more large retail stores (grocery included) were threaten- ing to open on Sundays i in all areas of the province in defiance of the law. Police in the province had laid more than 2,000 charges against store owners in the past couple of years' for violating the law, in- cluding 250 against one Toronto fur- rier, Paul Madger. v In the wake of the ruling, spokespersons for large chains like the Bay, Simpsons and Loblaws said they would abide by the rules, but only if there is more uniform enforcement. The Retail Business Holidays Act list numerous exemptions under which certain stores remain open Sundays. Drug Stores, marinas, garages, garden centres, fruit stands, restaurants are among those businesses which are exempt. A business may also open Sunday if it is less than 5,000 square feet, has fewer than seven employees and is closed on the preceding Saturday. The so-called "small store' ex- emption allows business to be open if they are under 2400 square feet, have less than three employees ser- ving the public, and the goods available for sale are foodstuffs, newspapers and periodicals, tobac- co, antiques or handicrafts, or any combination of these where the prin- cipal business is the sale of these merchandise items. Stores may also be exempt from the law if the local municipal coun- cil (i.e. Durham Region) declares an area as a tourist area, where stores being open "is essential for 'the maintenance and levelopment of a tourist area." In Metro Toronto, for example, Chinatown and Harbourfront have been designated as tourist areas. And some communities, like Elmira and Niagara-on-the-Lake have the same designation which allows stores to skirt the law. Meanwhile, Ontario attorney general Ian Scott is quoted as say- ing the courts will proceed with pro- secuting the more than 2,000 charges that have been laid over the past couple of years. The government is also moving to provide the legislative power to en- force a business shut with an injunc- tion. A person who disobeys a court injunction is subject to criminal charges. PORT PERRY STAR 2 A 2 2 A YJ A J YE RX Br VF CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURS Saturday, December 27th PA RA YP YP J Yi Dr PH HF DE YF HE Uf Tuesday, December 23rd ........ 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 24th .... CHRISTMAS DAY ............... BOXING DAY .........ccceuuennen. ives iarees asso CLOSED eee, CLOSED ... 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. .. 9:00 AM. to 5:00 P.M |. - 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday, December 29th .... Tuesday, December 30th ... Wednesday, December 31st .... NEW YEAR'S DAY oie, CLOSED eee Regular Hours Resume 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. NOTICE to all clients of FOWLER, DAVIES BARRISTERS s SOLICITORS We have now VMIOVED to our new offices in the TRIPORT PROPERTIES BUILDING 175 North Street -- Port Perry We look forward to serving you from our new location and apologize for any inconvenience resulting from our move. FOWLER, DAVIES BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS Phone 985-8411 pid F