Hudson’s Bay skirts COVID restrictions through loophole

Many have opined that large retailers should not only also shut down, but should be the first to do so, given that they attract the largest crowds. This raises the question as to why the Bay is permitted to stay open while small businesses close their doors.

The reason why is because the Bay is an essential service, providing food items. This may come as a shock as the Bay is primarily known for high end clothing, often costing hundreds of dollars for a typical pair of jeans. Nonetheless, many will be shocked to find that the Bay on Queens Street, Toronto, has what looks like a few shelves of food items.

A photograph from the flagship location shows a sparsely filled shelf, containing flour, tea, spaghetti and baking soda. These items are enough for the corporation to exempt itself from COVID-19 restrictions.

It is unclear as to whether the Bay intentionally added these few food items to their selection proceeding the pandemic, or if they always carried food items.

Critics are nonetheless raising concern over the inefficient structure of these newly introduced restrictions. 70 percent of businesses in Toronto say they don't have the resources to survive the lockdown, according to CFIB.