Canada’s oldest retailer wants the Ford government’s restrictions on non-essential retail reviewed by the courts.

Hudson’s Bay is asking that the Ontario Superior Court urgently hold a hearing and wants the lockdown restrictions quashed or, if not, to rule department stores should be included in the list of essential retailers.

HBC and other retailers have argued that stricter physical-distancing for all stores, rather than shutdowns for some, would be a more effective way to keep shoppers safe.

Hudson’s Bay, which has 12 stores in Toronto and Peel Region, calls the lockdowns ”irrational,” ”arbitrary,” and ”devoid of logic and consistency.”

Only those deemed essential have been allowed to remain open at 50% capacity since November 23 in Toronto and Peel, while non-essential retailers have been closed while only offering delivery or curbside pick-up, causing what HBC calls ”disproportionate harm”.