Store hours deregulation not a 'top priority' for Sudbury councillors

Despite a referendum designed to settle the decades-old store hours debate in Sudbury, it is now back in the hands of city council.

Sudburians voted for deregulation on all three questions but, according to the city, not enough people voted to make it binding.

Several newly elected city councillors are promising to honour the referendum results, no matter their personal feelings.

One of them is the new representative for Ward 10, Deb McIntosh.

"I promised two things to my ward. One was to work hard and the other was to honour their wishes with regard to the referendum question."

But McIntosh said she doesn't feel that deregulating store hours is such a priority that council needs to vote on it at the first meeting in December, to have stores open for Boxing Day.

Those who did vote made their feelings clear, with 60 to 75 per cent wanting deregulation.

Newly elected Ward 8 city councillor Al Sizer said he'll vote to deregulate store hours, but added he doesn't think council needs to rush the decision just to have stores open this coming Boxing Day.

"If it can be done, that's fine. But I'm not certain that will be the top priority,” he said.

“We'll be taking a look at budget immediately and that will take up a vast amount of our time."

The newly elected Sudbury city council will meet for the first time on Dec. 9, before taking a break for the holidays.

Mayor-elect Brian Bigger has said he will make it a priority to bring the issue to council.

"That's a definite yes. There was a very strong mandate from the people who did vote."