Ontario has changed its retail holiday rules for Family Day and Victoria Day.

The Retail Business Holidays Act has been amended so retail businesses may now generally choose to open on Family Day and Victoria Day. The current Ontario e-Laws consolidation is from April 24, 2026, reflecting the 2026 amendments.

The City of Toronto also confirms that, as of April 2026, retail businesses are allowed to voluntarily remain open on Family Day and Victoria Day.

What changed?

Previously, Family Day and Victoria Day were generally treated as retail closure days under the Retail Business Holidays Act, subject to exceptions or local rules.

The 2026 amendments remove those two holidays from the province-wide retail closure framework. Retail businesses can now generally choose to open on those days.

Does this apply to dealerships?

Yes, this change is relevant to dealerships, because dealerships are generally retail businesses.

Some dealerships may already have opened on these holidays if they fell within an exemption or local rule. The practical change is that Family Day and Victoria Day are now more broadly treated like Boxing Day for retail-opening purposes.

Important distinction: ESA public holidays still apply

Family Day and Victoria Day remain public holidays under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000. So even if a retail business opens, ESA public holiday pay, premium pay, substitute holiday rules, and employee rights may still apply.

In other words: for retail-opening purposes, Family Day and Victoria Day are now more like Boxing Day. But unlike Boxing Day, they remain ESA public holidays.

Employer takeaway

Retail employers and dealerships should update holiday calendars, scheduling practices, payroll coding, and manager guidance. This change allows many retailers to open, but it does not eliminate ESA public holiday obligations.

How HR4 helps: HR4 helps retail employers and dealerships manage holiday scheduling, employee communications, status changes, and key employment records in one centralized platform. With built-in reminders, workflows, and employee file tracking, HR4 helps teams stay organized and maintain the documentation needed to support compliance with holiday and scheduling obligations.