Sept. 30 – which falls this coming Wednesday this year – is a federal holiday in Canada dedicated to acknowledging the harm caused by the residential school system, honoring survivors, and supporting families and communities affected by the ongoing trauma.
Ontario and Quebec have opted not to recognize it as a provincial holiday, similar to their stance on other holidays like Remembrance Day.
Here’s what you can expect to be open or closed in Ottawa on Wednesday. This overview gives a general idea, so it’s wise to check with specific businesses or services.
City Services, Museums, Shopping
The city will shut down its client service centers, employment and social service offices, municipal child-care centers, Site program, dental clinics, and sexual health centers on Wednesday.
Seven branches of the Ottawa Public Library will be open from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m., while the rest will remain closed.
Waste collection by the city will continue as usual, and city recreation and cultural facilities will be operating normally.
The agriculture, aviation, history, nature, science, and war museums are open with free admission available; likewise for the National Gallery of Canada, which opens at noon.
The agriculture and history museums have community events planned. However, the Ottawa Art Gallery will be closed.
An attendee uses an umbrella to keep the sun off them during a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025 event on Parliament Hill. (Blair Gable/Reuters)
The Bayshore, Rideau Centre, St. Laurent, Place d’Orléans, and Tanger Outlets malls haven’t announced any changes in their hours of operation.
Most grocery stores also haven’t reported any alterations to their hours. Generally speaking, bank branches will be closed.
LCBOs are set to open at noon. The Beer Store hasn’t indicated any changes either.
Schools, Transit And Road Closures
Schools will be open on Wednesday.
OC Transpo and Para Transpo services will operate as normal.</P
Wellington Street is going to be closed between O’Connor and Metcalfe streets from 10 a. m. until 7 p. m. Wednesday due to the national event taking place on Parliament Hill starting at noon.</P
A large number of federal government employees are expected to have Wednesday off work. This could impact some public-facing services like passport processing or service centers.
WATCH | What some 2025 commemorations looked like:
5th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation marked across Canada
Events marking the fifth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation took place across the country including ceremonies on Parliament Hill featuring survivors’ stories along with a memorial cloth listing thousands of children who did not return from residential schools in Canada.
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