To the editor,
I fully agree with Susanna Fuller’s comments in The Coast (“Sunday mourning,” October 26). With the introduction of Sunday shopping, we have indeed lost something special and we should take a moment to mourn.
Not only have we lost the many quiet luxuries once enjoyed on Sundays, it seems we have also lost our democratic rights. In 2004 I voted “no” to Sunday shopping, along with the majority of Nova Scotians. That vote was recently overturned by the courts. How can this happen? I believe all Nova Scotians should be concerned about this, even if they voted “yes” in the plebiscite. The democratic process has been ignored!
By Carolyn Pineau
This article appears in Nov 2-8, 2006.
http://saveoursundays.blogspot.ca/2015/11/… Maureen MacDonald’s comments in the legislature.
http://nslegislature.ca/index.php/proceedi… Yes, Mr. Speaker, there were people who were very happy that Sunday shopping was coming because that’s what they wanted and there were people who weren’t so happy, especially retail workers and small, independent retail shop owners, and corner store operators and certainly members of many Christian denominations. Also, we have to acknowledge that there were people who probably didn’t care at all, one way or another. But the thing that struck me about all of those different points of view was what the Leader of the Liberal Party said, and I completely concur with his remarks. The absolute confusion and the genuine concern that people all across the spectrum, in terms of their viewpoints on this issue felt, when the government made their incredible flip-flop on this very important issue and essentially hid behind Mr. Justice Richards’ decision and I think added to the confusion in the public. I wouldn’t say wilfully added because that would be impugning motive, which isn’t permitted here, Mr. Speaker, but certainly their position added to the confusion and perpetuated the idea that somehow the courts had struck down Sunday shopping in our province. That simply did not occur. The courts never struck down any ban on Sunday shopping, you were all lied too!