What’s closed on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Ontario
Published September 27, 2024 at 3:54 pm
On Monday, Sept. 30, some non-essential federal and municipal government offices throughout Canada will be closed in honour of the fourth annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a federal holiday.
Most private businesses will observe their usual hours since the day is not a statutory holiday. Residents can expect shopping centres, grocery stores, movie theatres, and restaurants (if they’re typically open on Mondays) to operate as usual.
Banks and Canada Post will be closed, but schools will be open.
The day was first conceived in 2021 when the Canadian government responded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action by creating a day of observation that seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who suffered under the country’s residential school system.
The day was declared after relevant legislation was passed on June 3, 2021.
While not every government office will be closed, banks and Canada Post will not operate on Monday.
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Schools, colleges, universities and childcare facilities will be open.
National Truth & Reconciliation Day coincides with Orange Shirt Day, a movement inspired by a residential school survivor named Phyllis Webstad.
Here’s a look at what’s open and closed in southern Ontario on Sept. 30:
All City of Mississauga offices will be closed on Monday to observe the day.
On Sept. 30, the digital screens at Celebration Square in Mississauga’s downtown core will display short films and messages of encouragement for visitors to learn, reflect and engage in reconciliation.
To further acknowledge the day, some city and Region of Peel facilities/services will be closed on Sept. 30 as well, including Region of Peel offices. Check online or call ahead if you plan to visit a library, community centre or theatre in Mississauga.
The following Region of Peel non-emergency services are closed on Monday:
- Access Peel counters
- Dental Services Contact Centre and Dental Clinics
- Early Years and Child Care Services
- Family Health Call Centre
- Healthy Sexuality Clinics
- Harm Reduction Program – Mobile Van
- Ontario Works
- Peel Living Office
- Housing Services, Client Services
There will be no change to waste collection services. Curbside pickup will take place as usual on Monday and throughout the week.
MiWay will operate buses on a regular schedule.
All City facilities and services, including Brampton City Hall, will be closed. Canada Post offices (no mail pick-up or delivery) and banks will be closed.
Transit services will operate on a regular Monday schedule. All essential and critical services, including fire and emergency services, traffic services, by-law enforcement, road operations, and security services, will operate as usual.
Shopping centres, grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, bars, retail stores and movie theatres will be open, but call ahead to be sure.
The City will raise the Every Child Matters flag on Friday to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and on Thursday, it will sell shirts for Orange Shirt Day in Garden Square.
Orange t-shirts will be available for $20 each, with a portion from each sale donated to a local Indigenous organization.
Friday will also see a performance of Discover Turtle Island: A Storytime Adventure with Rabbit and Bear Paws at the Cyril Clark Theatre. The puppet show brings Indigenous stories to life while teaching about Indigenous traditions.
The City Hall Clock Tower will be lit in orange “to honour the children, survivors and families impacted by the residential school system.”
Burlington
In Burlington, city administrative services will be closed.
Burlington Transit will operate on a normal weekday schedule on Monday, Sept. 30, and the downtown transit terminal will be open.
Service Burlington and the Building, Renovating and Licensing counter on the main floor of City Hall at 426 Brant St., will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service.
Recreation facilities are open for registered and drop-in programs and rentals. The Burlington Seniors Centre is open for drop-ins only and bistro service is not available.
As part of Orange Shirt Day, residents can come to Spencer Smith Park to reflect and take part in a Walk for Reconciliation and Peace, hosted by local indigenous people.
Opening remarks will begin at 6 p.m., from the pavilion at the east end of the park, with a walk to follow along the Waterfront Trail ending at Beachway Park for a tobacco ceremony. Participants are encouraged to wear orange shirts and moccasins if they have them.
Oakville
In Oakville, residents are invited to reflect, learn and participate in activities to learn more about Indigenous history and culture.
Town Hall, Oakville Museum, all libraries, cemetery offices and the municipal parking lot at 300 Church St. will be closed.
Oakville Transit will offer a modified service schedule operating from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Halton Hills
Halton Hills has confirmed all town facilities will be closed on Monday.
Milton
All municipal facilities in Milton will remain open.
In Hamilton, municipal services such as city hall will remain open. Most businesses will also operate as usual, including grocery stores, shops, restaurants, and Beer Store and LCBO locations (although hours could differ, so call ahead).
However, this will be the last time city hall will not observe National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. In a meeting on Sept. 25, Mayor Andrea Horwath submitted a motion to formally recognize the day.
The city will host a community sunrise ceremony and afternoon event at West Harbour—James St Plaza. The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m., and Indigenous food will be provided while supplies last.
It will be business as usual on Monday, Sept. 30, for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, though most town halls across Durham Region and some libraries will be closed.
Ajax Town Hall will be the lone municipal administrative centre open on Sept. 30, though all library branches in the community will be closed.
Most recreation centres and arenas will be open in Durham, apart from Clarington, where all recreation centres will be closed.
Animal shelters in Pickering and Clarington will also be closed on Monday.
Garbage collection in Whitby will be pushed ahead one day.
All other municipal services will happen as normally scheduled.
In Niagara, some city and town-run services, including some town and city halls, administrative offices, libraries and community centres, will be closed.
In St. Catharines, City Hall, St. Catharines Enterprise Centre, and the Victoria Lawn Cemetery administration office will be closed. In NOTL, the Town Administration Building and the Operations Building will be closed, along with the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library. In West Lincoln, the Township Administration Building, Public Works Building, West Lincoln Community Centre and West Lincoln Public Library will be closed. Municipal offices and libraries in Port Colborne will be closed.
Residents can still go to school and visit malls, shops, movie theatres, restaurants, breweries, wineries and tourist attractions (although it’s always a good idea to call ahead).
Most towns and cities will make the day the events such as flag raisings and ceremonies. Check your town or city’s website or social media accounts to see what’s happening in your community.
The Falls will be illuminated in orange at the top of every hour.
On Sept. 30, banks, Canada Post, the Canada Revenue Agency and passport services will be closed.
Other municipal services, including city hall, community centres, museums and public libraries, will be open in Toronto.
Flags at City Hall, civic centres and other city-run facilities will be at half-mast. The Survivors’ Flag will be at half-mast at City Hall and civic centres.
There will be an Indigenous Legacy Gathering at Nathan Phillips Square from Sept. 27 to 30 and a Spirit Garden is opening at Nathan Phillips Square on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.
The Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square will be lit up in orange and currently features an artwork titled Rekindle, designed by Toronto-based artist Joseph Sagaj in recognition of UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 to 2032)