In April, 1985, the Supreme Court of Canada, in the landmark R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd. case, declared the Lord’s Day Act unconstitutional, stating “The Lord’s Day Act to the extent that it binds all to a sectarian Christian ideal, works a form of coercion inimical to the spirit of the charter. The Act gives the appearance of discrimination against non-Christian Canadians… Non-Christians are prohibited for religious reasons from carrying out otherwise lawful, moral and normal activities” (R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd. 1985, Supreme Court Judgement, case 18125). This decision dealt a serious blow to the conservative parties against Sunday activities and the sale of alcohol at sporting events. Finally, on June 7, 1992, following several back and forths in decisions and appeals, stores were finally allowed to be legally open on Sundays in the province of Ontario. In its statement on the unconstitutionality of the Lord’s Day Act, the Supreme Court of Canada cited “changed social conditions” (R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd. 1985, Supreme Court Judgement, case 18125). Nowhere was this more relevant than in Toronto, whose population had doubled from 1950 to 1992, growing into one of the most culturally and religiously diverse cities in Canada. 

With baseball leading the way, first as a worthy reason to ease restrictive Sunday Laws, and then years later as a figurehead against Ontario’s long-standing liquor prohibition, change ruled in Toronto. Although it hasn’t always been the case, today crowds at baseball games are diverse, with people of all backgrounds and beliefs able to enjoy a ballgame. Barriers to play are being broken down too, especially with programs such as Challenger Baseball, and the upcoming inaugural season of the Women’s Pro Baseball League. The atmosphere and rules around Ontario ballparks needed to adapt to reflect the wider cultural reality of Ontario, and it was baseball fans and figures who led the charge to make Toronto a more accepting place than it had been.