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TORONTO – Shoppers in some Canadian cities braved heavy snowfall and wintry conditions on Boxing Day and braved the challenging weather in search of a good deal.
Much of Southern Ontario extends from Belleville in the east to Windsor and Sault Ste. Marie in the west was under weather warnings, with either snowfall of close to 15 centimeters in some places, or freezing rain of up to 10 millimeters in other places.
The Toronto Transit Commission issued a statement urging shoppers to leave their vehicles at home and use public transportation, adding that it was taking measures such as running anti-icing trains on subway lines to keep the system running.
Inclement weather didn’t deter Cornell Fysick, who was looking for a new pair of shoes Friday when he entered the busy Toronto Eaton Centre.
Standing among thousands of people, Fisk said he enjoys the novelty of Boxing Day, especially doing his shopping online instead of visiting physical retail stores.
Boxing Day shoppers included Gavin Gillespie, who was seen heading to the Adidas store at the Eton Centre, tempted by the 50 per cent off sale, which he said was too hard to refuse as consumer goods became increasingly expensive under regular pricing.
“With inflation, you’re getting a good deal with 50 percent off,” Gillespie said. He said he comes to the mall every year on Boxing Day instead of browsing deals online.
“It’s not that I don’t trust being online, it’s just – you try it, you know you can take it home and it’s OK. I don’t live too far and it’s nice to go out.”
In Montreal, shoppers were seen waiting outside stores inside the Eaton Center mall, with many preferring the in-person shopping experience on Boxing Day.
Montrealer Eloise, who did not give her last name, was among those at the Bath & Body Works store and said going shopping with others was a big reason to escape the cold and shop in person at retail stores.
“You can work out before and after,” she said of going out shopping on Boxing Day. “You can do that one day, so it’s a little more fun.”
The excitement in Toronto and Montreal was not shared in Halifax, where streets in Nova Scotia were quiet as most stores and shopping centers were closed for the day due to provincial law.
About 20 years ago, Nova Scotia designated Boxing Day “Retail Closing Day”, meaning only certain essential shops, such as pharmacies, could remain open.
As a result, while malls and parking lots elsewhere in the country were full, Nova Scotia’s streets were quiet — and some liked it that way.
Last year a thread on the Halifax Reddit page asked whether it was time to overturn the law and allow stores to open on Boxing Day. There was an overwhelming response.
Commenters responded that retail employees “are entitled to two days off at Christmas” and some suggested that Boxing Day be made a full statutory holiday, meaning retail employees would be paid time off.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 26, 2025.
