Glebe to stay open Thanksgiving Monday and 5 other holidays

Businesses in the Glebe will be allowed tostay open on sixstatutoryholidaysafter the Ontario Municipal Board on Thursdayupheld anOttawa city council decision from earlier this yearto give the neighbourhoodan exemption from provincial legislation.

That means Whole Foods which was once charged for openingillegally on Good Friday in 2015 and other shops in the Glebe business improvement area will be able to legally open on Thanksgiving Monday, and five other statutory holidays:New Year's Day, Family Day, Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Labour Day.

The Glebe BIA was thrilled with the decision, tweeting its delight.

The BIA's executive director, Andrew Peck, said it's up to business owners whether they want to stay open on any or all of the exempted dates.

"I think it's great news," said Peck. "We have been working on this for a very, very long time. This is the first area outside the immediate downtown that hasbeen granted this exemption and it's because in 2016 this area is rockin'."

In a split vote, council approved the openings last February, but theOttawa and District Labour Council appealedthe exemption to the OMB, a quasi-judicialprovincial body that can review and overturn some council decisions.

The council's president Sean McKennysaid his group is "disappointed" by the decision, as he believes keeping businesses open on statutory holidays diminishes the quality of life for workers.

"We think it's the wrong decision," McKenny said. "We think statutory holidays are important for families. For workers in the Glebe, where's their time to spend with loved ones on holidays?"

The OMB heard this case this week in Ottawa, and was dismissed Thursday morning by board member Richard Makuch.