Laval shoppers enjoying extended weekend shopping hours for the holidays

Shoppers in Laval are getting more time to do their holiday shopping as the malls have extended hours on the weekend.

Those planning on doing their holiday shopping at Carrefour Laval will have more time every day.

The mall is extending its hours until Jan. 1, and changing its permanent hours in the new year.

The mall would typically close at 5 p.m. on the weekends, but it will be open until 7 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

It’s part of a one-year pilot project launched by the Quebec government to help local businesses compete with online shopping retailers.

“To have just 10 per cent [of the] enterprises to participate in the project, for me, it’s good,” said Small Businesses Minister Samuel Poulin.

Since October, stores in Laval, Gatineau and Saint-Georges have been allowed to stay open longer.

Those three cities were chosen to test the pilot project that includes only non-food businesses, such as large chains and small boutiques.

Quebec says it hopes to expand the project to other parts of the province, such as Sherbrooke, Quebec City or Longueuil.