The Ford government is set to allow retailers across the province to open their doors to shoppers on Family Day and Victoria Day, Global News has learned, after the premier expressed frustration about major malls being closed on provincial holidays.

During the recent Family Day long weekend, Ford said he was inundated with calls from “so many people wanting to go to shopping malls” and questioned why major shopping centres — including Toronto’s Sherway Gardens and Yorkdale Mall — were closed.

At the time, Ford appeared unsure about whether he would change the law, but promised to consult with the Retail Council of Canada, along with retail giants such as Wal-Mart, Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart and Home Depot.

“I know it would add to our GDP,” Ford said on Feb. 17. “That would probably add close to a million working hours that people could pocket.”

It took less than a month for Ford’s musings to become reality.

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Global News has learned that, during an early morning cabinet meeting on Thursday, the government approved a plan to allow provincewide shopping on Family Day and Victoria Day.

While it’s unclear why the government settled on those two days, the province would have to amend the existing law to allow for the change.

Currently, the Retail Business Holiday Act forbids shopping on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.

Family Day isn’t enshrined in that law, but it is designated as a holiday in the Employment Standards Act, which means employees are entitled to enhanced wages.

Ford’s interest in changing the law appears to be driven by the Greater Toronto Area.

“I wanted to go to Home Depot … it was closed,” Ford confessed on Feb. 17.

That closure is largely a decision by a City of Toronto bylaw, which dictates that all retail across the city “must close” on statutory holidays.

The only exemptions are small grocery stores, pharmacies and art galleries, along with retailers that carry a “tourist area exemption,” including the Eaton Centre, the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area and the Distillery District.

Ford’s cabinet, Global News has learned, will allow for provincewide change, giving all retailers an exemption on the two public holidays.

Ford has stressed that even if the government changes the law, it would be “up to companies to decide.”

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When Family Day was first introduced 36 years ago, most Albertans saw it as a well-deserved statutory day off between New Year’s Day and Good Friday. It bridged the gap between holidays.

However, decades later, it’s much more.

At the Military Museums in Calgary, ration-tasting and armoury demos were among the activities on offer for visiting families. Its curated exhibits were aimed at offering history as a way to connect with families.

While some children said their favourite part of Family Day is getting off from school, David Petrovich, a veteran and volunteer at the museum, says, “Seeing history and talking about concepts that have happened before that affects today’s lives, it’s great for kids to experience that. But also for the parents.”

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A lot of places in the city chose to host free events for Family Day, creating more accessible ways for people to get out of the house.

There was free family skating at the Ernie Starr, Frank McCool and Murray Copt arenas. Canyon Meadows, Bob Bahan and Thornhill pools also had free swimming for the day. On-street parking in Parkplus zones joined in the free fun too.

Alberta’s government waived the fees for nine of its historical sites this Family Day. Among them, Lougheed House, a historical fixture in the city of Calgary, opened its doors at no cost to visitors.

Steven Kellier, the director of programs and visitor experiences at Lougheed House, says welcoming visitors to the house is part of its fabric.

“It’s an opportunity for us to welcome lots of people in and host people like Lady Lougheed would have done historically,” he said of the free day.

Families got to experience guided tours and learned Métis beading designs from volunteers in the main foyer of the house.

Esau Buenrostro visited the house with his family, including his infant Bella, who took great interest in the wall sconces. He said that using Family Day to get in touch with history was a day well spent.

“Getting the baby out of the house, she’s so intrigued by all the stuff that’s on the wall, there’s so much to look at. It’s definitely keeping the baby preoccupied,” he said.

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.