Quebec considering allowing grocery stores to increase evening staff

Quebec is planning to allow grocery stores to increase the number of employees working in the evening, but some small business owners are not on board.

Xin Li, the owner of Depanneur Xin Xin in Montreal’s Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie borough, is concerned about the impact the proposed changes could have on his business.

“I am not in agreement,” said Li.

In Quebec, grocery stores and pharmacies are limited to a maximum of four employees working after 9 p.m. on weekdays and after 8 p.m. on weekends. However, changes to Bill 85 would lift those restrictions entirely, allowing more staff to work during evening hours.

Li worries that with the additional employees at grocery stores, customers may flock to larger retailers instead of his depanneur.

“The business is already very difficult as it is,” he said.

On the other hand, the Retail Council of Quebec supports the proposed changes, calling it an opportunity to provide businesses with greater “operational freedom.”

Bunauy Tan, another depanneur owner says he is not concerned.

“The residents here know me well because I’ve been here for so long,” said Tan. He says he relies on his loyal customer base.

Quebec’s Ministry of Economy hopes to adopt the changes as early as June. Adding it has delivered most of its regulatory relief bills since their five-year action plan was launched in 2020.

“Our objective is to create a more favourable business environment for Quebec businesses,” said Lea Fortin, the ministry’s press secretary.

“Bill 85 will save businesses nearly $20 million annually and on a recurring basis. When our plan is completed next year, we will have reduced by 200M$ the regulatory burden faced by business in these uncertain times,” she added.

That said, Li is hoping the proposed changes do not go through.

“I hope [an association] or someone can stop the law.”