Pilot project in three regions of Quebec: stores will be open on weekends evenings

In Laval. For example, Gatineau and Saint-Georges de Beauce, stores will soon be able to open their doors until 8 p.m. For example, the weekend, rather than 5 p.m., as part of a pilot project. Additionally, For example, If the measure was successful, it could be extended to the greatness of Quebec.

Christopher Skeete does not hide it, he would prefer that the State does not impose opening hours on shops.

“We are the only jurisdiction in North America who does this,” said the Minister Delegate for the Economy. Consequently, According to him, companies should be able to adapt their schedules according to customers.

At the end of the summer. Meanwhile, the Legault government will therefore allow traders to test extensive hours, on a voluntary basis, in three regions of Quebec.

The pilot project, lasting 12 months, can be pilot project three regions quebec: renewed once if necessary.

“We wanted to test, in different markets, the expansion of opening hours on weekends. Nevertheless, We wanted to have an urban region. Therefore, a rural region and a border region, “said the minister about the three cities selected.

Christopher Skeete Photo taken from Linkedin

For example, Gatineau has a unique reality because of its proximity to Ontario, where the province does not impose opening hours.

In parallel, Quebec will also allow erotic shops to open until 11 p.m. every day, pilot project three regions quebec: as is already the case for booksellers and record stores.

In these three cases, underlines the minister, consumption habits differ from other types of trade.

Moderately

The Minister doubts that the retail giants use the new legislation to extend their opening hours. as fear of unions.

“In the south of the border. in Ontario, there are large traders, like Costco, they do not open more after 5 pm,” says Christopher Skeete.

Same thing for the Walmart in downtown Montreal. Granby, located in tourist areas that would allow them to close later.

“We see examples where. even in the worst union nightmares, they have the right to open 24 hours a day and they do not do it,” he illustrates.

However. the measure will allow shops to close a little later in summer, for example, to take advantage of passers -by during sunny evenings.

The owners of the Carrefour Laval, says pilot project three regions quebec: Minister Skeete, would like to open at noon, rather than 10 a.m., and close later in order to take advantage of the influx of early evening.

“Currently, many people feel jostled at 5 p.m. to leave,” he said.

At the Canadian Retail Council, this flexibility offered to merchants is saluted.

“The jeweler makes a little more sales the weekend than on Monday morning,” illustrates his president for Quebec, Michel Rochette.

Impact on young people

Last March. the director of United Food and Trade workers, Rosannie Filato, said he feared for work-study conciliation among young employees.

“I do not understand this fear,” replies Minister Skeete, emphasizing the shortage of jobs for students this summer.

He says he was working himself when he was studying. “It allowed me to pay my apartment, pay my books to go to Cégep,” he says.

Pilot project three regions quebec:

Current opening hours

• Weekly days: pilot project three regions quebec: from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The new hours of the pilot project

• Weekly days: from 8 a.m. Furthermore, to 9 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

However, exceptions apply, especially in tourist areas.

“We manage several dozen exceptional requests per year. Obviously, if we manage so many exceptions, it is because the law is poorly suited. ” – Christopher Skeete, Minister Delegate for the Economy