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Quebec will soon allow retail stores to close late on weekends, but some not enthused
Quebec's pilot responds to online shopping pressures and earlier trials, with 11,300 retail job vacancies as of December 2025, officials said.
- On March 11, the Quebec government will launch a one-year pilot allowing stores to stay open on weekends until 9 p.m., reported by The Canadian Press on March 4, 2026.
- Faced with rising online competition from Shein and Temu, the Quebec government builds this pilot on trials conducted last year in three Quebec cities and says original strict hours protected employees and smaller shops.
- Across Montreal, shopping centres are taking varied approaches: some, like Place Ville Marie, won't extend hours while tenants must follow host buildings; Gatineau, Laval, St-Georges, and two special downtown zones already allow weekend hours until 8 p.m.
- For independent shop owners, Andrew Lutfy supports longer hours and part-time jobs, but Charlie Whitley and Suzanne Foucault warn of diluted sales and hiring challenges amid 11,300 vacant retail jobs.
- Comparatively, other provinces lack regulated hours, and economist Roger Gagné does not expect longer hours to significantly change consumer behaviour, with adoption likely uneven.
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36 Articles
36 Articles
Quebec will soon allow retail stores to close late on weekends, but some remain skeptical
A one-year pilot project allowing Quebec stores to stay open later on weekends begins March 11. While some retail owners welcome the change, others say the rise in online shopping makes extended operating hours irrelevant.
·Canada
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The Toronto Star+33 Reposted by 33 other sources
Quebec will soon allow retail stores to close late on weekends, but some not enthused
MONTREAL - Every Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m., Charlie Whitley closes his vintage clothing store in Montreal’s Mile-End neighbourhood and feels frustrated.
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources36
Leaning Left24Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution89% Left
Bias Distribution
- 89% of the sources lean Left
89% Left
L 89%
11%
Factuality
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