PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - Victoria Day is more than just the unofficial first weekend of summer on P.E.I. It also marks the return of seasonal Sunday shopping.

This is the second year Sunday shopping will be allowed on the Island from Victoria Day to Christmas, and it could also be the last year for seasonal shopping that day.

A legislative committee has recommended that openings that day remain year round, which could mean no more Sunday closings if the legislation is changed before the end of the year.

While the Sunday shopping debate tends to revolve around giving businesses the choice to open and people the choice to work, Carl Pursey, president of the P.E.I. Federation of Labour, told CBC News on Friday there is little choice involved.

"Even some of the bigger stores don't want it but they'll have to do it if the rest are open. Their competition's open ... they'll have to be open as well," said Pursey.

"People aren't going to be spending any more money. They don't have any more money to spend. It'll just be spread out over seven days instead of six."

Pursey says his biggest concern is that workers who are parents won't be able to find child care on Sundays.

P.E.I. is the last place in Canada to have provincewide restrictions on Sunday shopping.

The tourism industry was one of the prime movers behind getting rid of restrictions.

The province was keen to have Sunday openings, to make the most of weekend visitors and cruise-ship stops.

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