Ontario judge denies appliance store permission to open during lockdown

An Ontario judge ruled that Canada Appliance Source (CAS) would be denied its request to be granted permission to open for business during the Grey – Lockdown stage in Toronto and Peel regions on December 10.

The appliance company had originally sued Ontario, Peel, and the cities of Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga over Ontario’s COVID-19 lockdown measures claiming that it should be allowed to open during the lockdown because it is a “hardware store” and is part of the supply chain for construction, which has been deemed essential by the province.

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Justice Paul Perell has ultimately ruled that CAS was trying to inaccurately expand the definition of a hardware store and did not permit them to open during the lockdown.

“Canadian Appliance does not sell building materials (lumber, masonry), construction hardware (nails, screws, etc.), fasteners, hand tools, power tools, plumbing supplies, electrical supplies, cleaning products, small housewares, utensils, and sanitation supplies,” read Justice Perell’s decision.

Currently, under Ontario’s lockdown restrictions, only supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, hardware stores, other retailers selling groceries, beer/wine and liquor stores, pharmacies, safety supply stores and pet supply stores are allowed to be open during the Grey – Lockdown period.

The lockdown has been in place in Toronto and Peel regions since November 23 and is set to expire on December 21. An extension is currently under consideration by the premier as the result of a continuous rise in COVID-19 cases.