After a horrible day at work where everyone was unpleasant, the power went out twice during important calls, and our favorite colleague didn’t show up because of the snow, what should we do?
Romantic comedies from the 2000s would have us drinking cosmos with our semi-mean girlfriends, French films would have us meeting up with a lover in a downtown apartment, and all the Montrealers we know tell us to go to the sauna.
The sun is setting later and later, and now that it’s no longer dark when Montrealers leave their 9-to-5 jobs, the time between the end of work and dinner is becoming much more interesting. To our list of possible evening outings and activities, we can add “retail therapy” starting March 11, 2026, because stores will be able to stay open late.
Pilot Project 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Quebec is one of the only places in North America where store hours are strictly regulated by the government. These rules, which apply to all retail stores in the region, require them to close at 5 p.m. on weekdays and weekends.
The pilot project announced by the CAQ, which will take effect on March 11, 2026, will allow businesses that wish to do so to stay open until 9 p.m. if they wish, with hours from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Some businesses have been asking for this for a long time, while others don’t see the point of the extra hours. We’ll see what changes in our daily lives over the next few months —and we’ll have the option of drowning our frustrations in a silk skirt, which is our right as young workers in a capitalist society.
Have a great week!