Quebec to expand pilot project on store opening hours

A look inside Les promenades Gatineau. A new Quebec pilot project will allow stores to stay open later on weekends. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

The Quebec government says it plans to expand its pilot project on store opening hours to the entire province, allowing retailers to stay open later on weekends.

As part of the expansion, the government says it will allow eligible businesses, such as shops, boutiques and hardware stores, to open every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on public holidays.

Currently, commercial establishments must close at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

• READ MORE: Stores in these 3 Quebec cities will stay open late on weekends in pilot project

For the past few weeks, the pilot project has allowed businesses in three cities — Gatineau, Laval and Saint-Georges — to voluntarily stay open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, except on public holidays.

On Monday, Samuel Poulin, minister for the economy and small and medium-sized businesses, announced that the project would be extended to all municipalities in Quebec.

Poulin says Quebec is the only place in North America that imposes restrictions on business hours, and we must “get out of the way of entrepreneurs.”

“With Shein and Temu, local businesses need to have the flexibility to be more in touch with their customers,” he said. “This is one more freedom and a strong step toward deregulation.”

The draft regulation to expand the pilot project is set to be published on Wednesday and hold consultations for 45 days “to gather feedback from all interested parties.”

• READ MORE: Laval shoppers enjoying extended weekend shopping hours for the holidays

Grocery stores and pharmacies, which are already exempt from restrictions on opening hours, are not affected by the proposed changes.

Quebec is also running a parallel pilot project to allow adult stores to remain open until 11 p.m. every day.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 8, 2025.