What’s open, closed on National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Ottawa

Thursday, September 30, marks Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, meant to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

Only three provinces, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, have moved to recognize the occasion as a statutory holiday.

The Government of Ontario has chosen not to recognize the day as a stat this year, so schools will be open and provincially regulated workplaces will not be affected.

Most grocery stores, shopping malls and other retail outlets are open as usual. LCBO and The Beer Store locations will be open, however, LCBO stores will open at 12 p.m.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has decided to focus teaching on Indigenous history and culture on Thursday, including the impacts of Canada's residential school system. Teachers have been asked to not schedule tests or have any assignments due, in case Indigenous students choose to stay home to recognize the day.

Most City of Ottawa services, including client centres, OC Transpo and garbage and recycling pick up, will run as scheduled, though some in-person services are closed.

Client Service Centres:

The City's 311 Contact Centre will be open for urgent matters only. Please visit ottawa.ca/311 for more information.
The Client Services Centres at Ottawa City Hall, Ben Franklin Place, 580 Terry Fox Drive and 255 Centrum Boulevard, and the City's Provincial Offences Court at 100 Constellation Drive will be closed.

Public Health Services:

• The Sexual Health Clinic will be closed.
• The Site program office and supervised consumption services at 179 Clarence Street will be closed. The Site mobile van will operate from 5 to 11:30 p.m.
• The Ottawa Public Health Information Centre and the COVID-19 Information line at 613-580-6744 will be closed. Visit Ottawa Public Health's website for more information.
• The Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Booking line at 613-691-5505 will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dental clinics will be closed.
• The Baby Help Line will be closed.

Community and Social Services:

• The Tom Brown respite centre at 141 Bayview Station Road, the Bernard Grandmaître respite centre at 309 McArthur Avenue, and the St. Paul's Eastern United Church respite centre at 473 Cumberland Street will be closed. The centres will reopen on Friday, October 1, during regular operating hours.

Municipal child care services:

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• All municipal child care centres will be closed.

Library Services:

• All Ottawa Public Library branches will be closed.

Cultural services:

• Museums, the City of Ottawa Archives and Gallery 112 will be closed.
• Programming will be modified at some City arts centres, galleries, and theatres. Check with your facility to confirm.

Most federal museums are open Thursday with free admission, but you do need to book a spot in advance.

Federal government employees have been given a paid day of leave, so banks and Canada Post locations are closed on Thursday.

September 30 is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day nationally, and the Canadian Government is encouraging everyone to wear orange in order to raise awareness of the residential school system and the impact it has had on Indigenous communities across Canada.