Remembrance Day 2007 will be the same as Remembrance Day 2006, at least for Ottawa retail businesses.

The city's community and protective services committee Thursday voted to reject proposed amendments to a unique municipal bylaw that regulated which stores can remain open and which must close on the morning of Remembrance Day.

The committee had been proposing to close loopholes that allowed some big-box format stores to remain open on the morning of Remembrance Day, provided they had an extensive grocery section. Grocery stores are exempted under the bylaw.

In addition, the committee voted down a proposal to allow stores to open as early as noon. As the law currently reads, selected Ottawa retailers (see list at bottom) must remain closed on Nov. 11 until 12:30 p.m.

The committee rejected staff-proposed and business-endorsed changes after a deputation from Bob Butt, a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Legion. He advocated against any changes to the rules, and in fact urged councillors to expand the legislation to include more types of retail establishments, including pharmacies, car and boat dealerships and tobacco vendors, which are currently exempted.

The community and protective services committee agreed, and tasked staff to bring back a report in time for 2008 Remembrance Day commemorations examining a broadening of the closure rules to include those retailers.

The city's business advisory committee was consulted in early September on the proposed changes, which they endorsed at the time. Business advisory committee chair Rob Sproule said he understood why the changes weren't supported by veterans, but questioned why the solution was more regulations instead of a simplification of the rules.

"Certainly . . . the requirements are different for Ottawa because we're the nation's capital, and because there's a nationally visible ceremony that goes on here," he told the OBJ. "I don't think it should be a major inconvenience to business, and I think everybody is appreciative of the reason for having rules in place to visibly demonstrate the respect we feel for our country's military efforts, both past and present."

However, he questioned why pharmacies, which are arguably a needed service for some residents, would be included on the list of new closures, and also wondered aloud why councillors focused on bringing in more regulations for area businesses rather than working on eliminating regulations on small business.

"If you've got medical issues, I don't see any reason in (closing pharmacies)," said Mr. Sproule.

"Our taxes are too high, staff salaries are too high, and we have too much regulation," he said. "And they want to give us more."

Current rules will apply this Nov. 11 while city staff begin researching a new bylaw in time for next year's ceremonies.

Penalties for businesses which do not comply with the rules range from written warning to fines of as much as $5,000.

SIDEBAR

Types of stores exempted from being closed to the public until 12:30 on Remembrance Day, according to current laws:

live bait shops

Source: City of Ottawa BY LAW NUMBER 2002-421

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