A complete guide to Canada Day 2023 in Ottawa

Canada Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means we get a three-day weekend.

It also means there are several closures and schedule adjustments to be aware of as you make your plans and run errands.

First off, there is a long list of road closures to be aware of.

The city says getting around downtown on Canada Day will be complicated with numerous road closures and parking restrictions near Parliament Hill and LeBreton Flats.

You’re advised to plan your route ahead of time and expect delays.

The city also recommends using public transit, especially since OC Transpo is offering no-charge special service on Canada Day.

Road closures and restrictions

The following downtown streets will be closed from 6 a.m. July 1 to 2 a.m. July 2:

• Bank Street from Albert Street to Wellington Street
• Bay Street from Albert Street to Wellington Street
• Booth Street from Albert Street to rue Eddy, Gatineau
• Bronson Avenue from Slater Street to Sparks Street
• Fleet Street from Lett Street and Booth Street
• Kent Street from Albert Street to Wellington Street
• Lett Street from Fleet Street and Wellington Street
• Lloyd Street from Fleet Street and Lett Street
• Lyon Street from Albert Street to Wellington Street
• Metcalfe Street from Queen Street to Wellington Street
• O’Connor Street from Queen Street to Wellington Street
• Portage Bridge from Wellington Street to rue Laurier, Gatineau
• Queen Street from Bronson Avenue to Bank Street
• Slidell Street/Onigam Street from Lemieux Island to Bayview Station Road
• Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway at Parkdale Avenue and Wellington Street
• Sparks Street from Bronson Avenue to Lyon Street North
• Vimy Place from Wellington Street and Booth Street
• Wellington Street from Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway to Elgin Street

From 9 pm to midnight:

• Albert Street from Bronson Street to Bayview Station Road
• Slater Street from Albert Street to Bronson Avenue

Impacts outside of downtown on Saturday, July 1

The city says some of the special events planned will impact nearby roads, with closures and parking restrictions, as listed below:

Barrhaven

• Strandherd Drive will be closed between Dealership Drive and Jockvale Road from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Borrisokane Road will be closed from Cambrian Road to Strandherd Drive from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Canada Day Road Races, Kanata

• The Parkway in Kanata will be closed between Reaney Court, Leacock Drive and Teron Road from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Greely

• Access to Meadow Drive from Parkway to Bank Street will be closed between 8:30 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Kanata

• Charlie Rogers Place will be closed between Ron Maslin Way and the Kanata Recreation Centre from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Orléans

• Trim Road will be closed between Highway 174 and Petrie Island from 8 a.m. to 12 midnight.

Osgoode

• Osgoode Main Street will be closed between Nixon Drive and 5673 Osgoode Main Street from noon to 1 p.m.

For the most current road conditions, visit the city’s interactive traffic map and select both the ‘Events’ and ‘Incidents’ fields.

Events:

There is no shortage of fun to be had in Ottawa on Canada Day, from the evening, daytime and fireworks shows at LeBreton Flats, to the many smaller events happening around the city.

• Canada Day Barrhaven
• Canada Day Road Races
• Dunrobin Canada Day Celebration
• Greely Community Association Canada Day
• Canada Day in Kanata
• Osgoode’s Canada Day Festival
• Canada Day on Petrie Island
• Riverside South Community Association Canada Day
• Canada Day in Stittsville

Retail closures

Malls:

Most malls will be closed, except for the Rideau Centre which will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Tanger Outlet Mall will also be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Grocery stores:

Four Ottawa grocery stores will keep their doors open on Canada Day:

• Farm Boy Rideau Centre: Open Canada Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Loblaws on Isabella Street: Open July 1 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Loblaws on Rideau Street: Open Canada Day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Whole Foods Market at Lansdowne: Open July 1 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All grocery stores are permitted to open on Sunday, July 2 and Monday, July 3.

LCBO/Beer Stores:

All LCBO locations will be closed, with normal hours set to resume on Sunday, July 2.

As for The Beer Store, there will be right Ottawa locations open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Canada Day.

• 1860 Bank Street
• 1984 Baseline Road
• 548 Montreal Road
• 515 Somerset St. W.
• 2018 Ogilvie Rd.
• 3500 Fallowfield Dr.
• 499 Terry Fox Dr.
• 2276 Tenth Line Rd.

City Services

Several city services will be impacted on Monday, July 3:

The City’s 3-1-1 Contact Centre will only be open for urgent matters.

The Client Service Centres at Ottawa City Hall, Ben Franklin Place, 580 Terry Fox Dr. and 255 Centrum Blvd. and the City’s Provincial Offences Court at 100 Constellation Dr. 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 Sexual Health Clinic and satellite 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 to 11:30 p.m.

The Ottawa Public Health Information Centre and the COVID-19 booking line will be closed.

Dental clinics will be closed.

Parenting-In-Ottawa drop-ins will be closed.

Municipal childcare centres will be closed.

Ottawa Public Library branches will be closed but will resume regular hours on Monday, July 3

Green bin, recycling, and garbage collection:

There will be no impacts to green bin, recycling and garbage collection on Monday, with the Trail Waste Facility to be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recreations and cultural services:

Wading pools, outdoor pools and splash pads are open.

Most community centres are closed, while most arenas, recreation and fitness centres will be open with modified schedules. Please check each facility’s page for hours details.

Beaches at Mooney’s Bay, Britannia and Petrie Island are open and supervised between noon and 7 pm.

Museums are open from 10 a.m. with free admission and self-guided exploration.

Nepean Visual Arts Centre, Shenkman Arts Centre and Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe are closed on Saturday, July 1.

The Karsh Masson Gallery, City Hall Gallery, Gallery 112 and City of Ottawa Archives are closed on Saturday, July 1.