Quebec tests later weekend shopping hours with new pilot project

A one-year pilot project will allow Quebec retailers to stay open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Shoppers in Quebec could soon have more time to browse stores on weekends.

A one-year pilot project starting next week will allow retailers to stay open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The move marks a significant change from rules introduced in the 1990s that required most stores to close by 5 p.m. on weekends. The province said those regulations were designed at the time to protect employees’ work-life balance and help smaller shops compete with larger chains.

At CF Carrefour Laval, later weekend hours have already been tested since November. A survey of retailers in the mall helped determine the most effective schedule for both shoppers and staff.

General manager Sébastien Perron said the change has already shown results and improved the shopping experience.

“I think it was about time for this to happen,” he said. “Before that, every Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m., we had no choice but to literally push people out because they weren’t done shopping.”

He explained that while weekend hours are extended, the mall also shortened its hours earlier in the week.

The idea, he said, is to still maintain a balance for staff.

“There’s an option now for people to arrive later on weekend days — otherwise, they would probably stay home or come another day,” Perron added.

In total, it’s three hours that have been added to the weekly operation hours at the Laval mall.

Some policy experts say the pilot project could also benefit local businesses and the broader Quebec economy.

Vincent Paquet, senior policy analyst at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said giving consumers more flexible shopping hours could lead to more spending in local stores — benefiting the broader Quebec economy.

“A CFIB research found about 66 cents of every dollar spent at a local small business stay in the local economy. By contrast, only about 8 cents stays local when consumers shop on large online platforms,” he said.

Paquet also noted that extended hours could provide more employment opportunities, particularly for workers who are only available on weekends.

“For example students — if we extend the working hour to 9 p.m., they can get more work too,” he said.

He added that the pilot gives retailers the freedom to adjust hours according to customer habits.

“For example, if most shoppers come early in the morning, a business could open earlier and close earlier. It’s just a way to give businesses more control over their business,” Paquet explained.

Quebec remains the only province in Canada that broadly regulates retail hours year-round. The pilot project begins on March 11.