Calgary drug mart's Supreme Court case reshapes Sunday shopping laws in Canada

In 1982, Calgary's Big M Drug Mart challenged the Lord's Day Act, which prohibited Sunday shopping. The case reached the Supreme Court, leading to a landmark ruling that struck down the law for violating religious freedoms under the Canadian Charter. The Supreme Court's decision marked a significant shift in Canadian law, affirming that religious practices should not be imposed by the state. This ruling paved the way for Sunday shopping across Canada, reflecting the country's evolving multicultural and secular values. Today, Sunday shopping is commonplace, and all provinces have eliminated their Sunday closing laws. The Big M Drug Mart case remains a key example of how legal challenges can reshape societal norms and freedoms in Canada.