The Victoria Day long weekend marks the beginning of the summer season for many Canadians, and the federal holiday on Monday means most businesses and public facilities won’t be open, with a few exceptions.
Sunday also marks the final day of the
Canadian Tulip Festival
, which will end with a fireworks and drone display.
Here’s a look at what’s open and closed in the region on Victoria Day this Monday, May 19.
Shopping
Retail is a bit confusing, due to Ontario’s Retail Business Holidays Act, which basically allows some businesses to open if they want.
- ByWard Market and the Glebe are two areas where businesses could be open. As usual, it’s best to phone ahead.
- Rideau Centre and Tanger Outlets will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the city’s other malls will be shut.
- On the Quebec side, Les Promenades Gatineau and Galeries de Hull will also be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Most grocery stores will be closed, but there are a few exceptions.
- LCBO outlets are closed, but Ottawa Beer Stores will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Parking and transit
- All city parking regulations and restrictions will apply.
- OC Transpo will run on a Sunday schedule.
- Confederation Line trains will run from about 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Trillium Line will run from about 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- The Rideau Centre OC Transpo Customer Service Centre will be open.
- The OC Transpo Lost and Found at St-Laurent Station will be closed.
- Regular Para Transpo bookings or recurring trips for Monday are automatically cancelled. Customers can book trips online or by calling 613-560-5000.
Recreation
- Many community centres and recreation facilities will have altered hours and changes to drop-in schedules.
- City-operated museums, Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, and Shenkman Arts Centre will be closed.
- The National Gallery of Canada and agriculture, aviation, history, nature, science and war museums are open.
- The Ottawa Art Gallery and Diefenbunker will be closed.
- Splash pads open on May 16, weather permitting.
- Washrooms open on May 17 at Mooney’s Bay, Britannia and Petrie Island beaches.
City services
- No garbage, recycling, green bin or bulky item collection on Monday. Pick up will resume on Tuesday, and collection will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week.
- Ottawa City Hall and client service centres at Ben Franklin Place, 580 Terry Fox Dr. and 255 Centrum Blvd. will be closed.
- The provincial court at 100 Constellation Dr. will also be closed.
- The city’s 311 contact centre will be open for urgent matters.
- The Trail Road Waste Facility will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- All branches and services of the Ottawa Public Library will be closed.
- The Business Licensing Centre at 735 Industrial Ave. will be closed.
- The City of Ottawa Spay and Neuter Clinic at 26 Concourse Gate will be closed.
- The Barbara Ann Scott Gallery, the Karsh-Masson Gallery, and the City Hall Art Gallery will be closed on Monday.
Health, child care services
- The Sexual Health Clinic and satellite clinics will be closed.
- The Health811 line will be open.
- City child-care centres will be closed, as will the Parenting-In-Ottawa drop-ins.
- The city’s dental clinics will be closed.
- The Site program office and supervised consumption services at 179 Clarence St. will be closed. The Site mobile van will operate from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
