Miramichi lifts Sunday shopping restrictions [Video]

Sunday shopping restrictions in Miramichi, N.B. have been removed for the first time this weekend, making it the last New Brunswick municipality to lift operating hour limitations.

Prior to today, a bylaw prevented retail businesses in Miramichi from opening outside the hours of 12 noon and 5 p.m. on Sundays. Locations such as restaurants and gas stations were exempt from the bylaw’s restrictions under provincial regulations.

Starting today, retail business owners in Miramichi will be allowed to set Sunday operating hours at their own discretion.

The change is the result of a council vote Tuesday in favour of removing the restrictions, following an opportunity for online feedback. 

The city indicated online support was mostly in support of removing Sunday shopping restrictions. The bylaw amendment was also supported by the Miramichi Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Newcastle Business District, and the Historic Chatham Business District.

The vote was prompted by the Retail Council …