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Sept. 30 — which falls this coming Wednesday this year — is an annual federal holiday in Canada to recognize the damage caused by the residential school system, honour survivors and help families and communities affected by the lasting trauma.
Ontario and Quebec have decided not to make it a provincial holiday, the same approach those provinces take to other holidays such as Remembrance Day.
Here’s a list of what will be open and closed in Ottawa on Wednesday. This is a broad overview, so it’s best to confirm with specific businesses or services.
City services, museums, shopping
The city will close its client service centres, employment and social service offices, municipal child-care centres, Site program, dental clinics and sexual health centres Wednesday.
Seven Ottawa Public Library branches will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The others will be closed.
City waste collection will go ahead as normal, and city recreation and cultural facilities will be open.
The agriculture, aviation, history, nature, science and war museums are open and offering free admission, as is the National Gallery of Canada, which opens at noon.
The agriculture and history museums are hosting community events. The Ottawa Art Gallery is 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 have not announced changes to their opening hours.
Many grocery stores have not announced any changes to their hours. Bank branches are generally closed.
LCBOs will open at noon. The Beer Store hasn’t announced any changes.
Schools, transit and road closures
Schools are open Wednesday.
OC Transpo and Para Transpo service will run as usual.
Wellington Street will be closed between O’Connor and Metcalfe streets from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday to accommodate the national event on Parliament Hill, which starts at noon.
Broadly speaking, federal government employees will get Wednesday off. This may affect some public-facing services such as passports and service centres.
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 and a memorial cloth bearing the names of thousands of children who did not return from residential schools in Canada.