Ottawa’s August Civic Holiday falls on Aug. 5 this year and is named after after Col. John By, the man who supervised building the Rideau Canal.
More businesses, services open this Monday than other holidays
CBC News ·
Shoppers are seen outside a Real Canadian Superstore in Ottawa in June. There should be more grocery stores open on Colonel By Day than on other holidays like Easter or Canada Day. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Ottawa’s August Civic Holiday falls on Aug. 5 this year and is named after Col. John By, the man who supervised building the Rideau Canal.
Here’s some of what’s open and closed in Ottawa. This is a broad look at changes; it’s best to check ahead with stores near you or that you may be visiting.
Groceries
Compared to most other holidays, there will be more grocery stores open in the city on Aug. 5. Some may have shorter hours than usual.
Parking and transit
All City of Ottawa parking regulations and restrictions will apply Monday.
OC Transpo buses will operate on a Saturday schedule with extra service on a few routes. The Confederation Line is running from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Para Transpo regular bookings are automatically cancelled. Riders can book Aug. 5 trips through My Para Transpo or by calling 613-560-5000.
The taxi coupon line will remain open, as will the 57272 Para Transpo text service.
OC Transpo’s Rideau Centre customer service centre will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The OC Transpo lost and found at Heartwood House will be closed.
A boy cools off in the Parkdale wading pool in 2021. The city’s outdoor swim page lists the hours for different wading pools, swimming pools and splash pads. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)
City services
There will be no curbside waste collection or multi-unit residential recycling, compost or bulky item pickup. Collection will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week.
Multi-unit residential garbage will be picked up.
The Trail Road Waste Facility will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ottawa City Hall and client service centres at Ben Franklin Place 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.
All branches and services of the Ottawa Public Library will be closed.
The Sexual Health Clinic and satellite clinics will be closed.
City child-care centres and 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.
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is one of several local museums that will be open on Colonel By Day. (Michel Aspirot/CBC)
Retail
The Bayshore Shopping Centre will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The St. Laurent Shopping Centre and Place d’Orléans will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Rideau Centre will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tanger Outlets will be open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Alcohol
The holiday’s effect on LCBO outlets varies. Some are closed, while others are open with slightly different hours.
Some city pools, arenas and fitness centres will be open on modified schedules and others will be closed. The city suggests reaching out to facilities directly to find their schedules.
City beaches are open on regular hours. Remember you can check water quality before going.
City-run art centres, theatres, galleries, archives and museums will be closed.
The National Gallery of Canada and agriculture, aviation, history, nature, science and war museums are open.
