Sunday Shopping

Page Two

the freedom of choice, to shop or not shop, in the store
of their choice, on Sundays, as is the case in neighbouring

municipalities.

It is interesting to note, that the Municipality of Sanich
was ina similar situation, when the city of Victoria voted

yes to Sunday Shopping by a 71% majority. They held a second
referendum and Sunday Shopping passed by 74%. See appendix. B.

Voter reaction in November 1981, during the Municipal election
when the Sunday Shopping question was not presented to the ele-
ctorate. We were literally deluged with telephone calls and
irate customers who felt cheated of their rights. I understand
that your returning officers received the same reaction from

the voters.

The leisure and family aspect of shopping on a Sunday is the
sign of the times when one goes to any of the stores that are
in other Municipalities. Due to the fact both parents work in
the majority of families today, it is apparent that consumers
wish the convenience of Sunday Shopping.

It is important to note, that because Sunday Shopping has proven to
-be an extremely potent local issue, record numbers of the electorate
have gone to the polls during the last Municipal elections in November.
In the City of Kelowna, this question drew the largest percentage of
eligible voters ever to vote on a Municipal issue. ‘The vote was taken
last May and again, open shopping was overwhelmingly approved. in
Richmond, it was generally agreed by Municipal Officials that most

of the referendums for capital expenditures passed unexpectedly in

a difficult economic climate, due to the record high turnout at the
polls on the Sunday Shopping questions. Therefore, I submit that the
inclusion of the Sunday questim would assure a high voter turnout in
the Library Referendum and a successful outcome - justifying the ex-

14 Cont'd .../3