Monday will probably be a time without work for many Ontarians because the province celebrates Victoria Day, a federal holiday marking the official birthday of Canada’s late sovereign, Queen Victoria, and long considered the start of the summer season.
Here’s an inventory of some things that can and won’t be operating in Hamilton, Burlington and Niagara Region on Monday, May 22.
Administrative offices: Offices are closed on Monday.
Licensing and Bylaw Services: Licensing and bylaw phone queue line will probably be closed on Monday. Service will resume on Tuesday.
Green bin, garbage and recycling: No collection on Monday. Pickup will probably be in the future later if it falls on or after the vacation. The town says all materials should be on the curb by 7 a.m. Community recycling centres and transfer stations will probably be closed.
HSR Bus: Buses will operate on regular Sunday/holiday service on Monday.
GO Transit: Trains and buses are operating on a Saturday schedule.
ATS DARTS: For more information take a look at the city’s website.
Ontario Works: This system, including the Special Supports, will probably be closed. Phone service will resume on Tuesday.
Recreation centres: Closed on Monday.
Hamilton civic museums: Dundurn National Historic Site, the Hamilton Military Museum and the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology will probably be closed on Monday.
Tourism Hamilton visitor information centre: Closed Monday.
Hamilton Public Library: All HPL branches are closed. For information on what services are operating, visit the library’s website at hpl.ca.
Social services: All Ontario Works offices, special supports, and the Housing Services office will probably be closed on Monday.
Senior centres: These will either be closed or run on a modified (4 hour) schedule.
Arenas: Either closed or on a modified schedule.
Animal services: Closed on Monday.
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope: Closed. Weekly hours are 9 a.m. to five p.m., Wednesday to Sunday.
Government offices: Local government reminiscent of city hall, municipal offices and facilities will probably be closed on Monday.
Administrative services: Services including parks, roads and forestry will probably be closed Monday.
Animal Shelter and Control: Closed Monday. Emergencies may be called in to 1-888-264-3135.
Recreation centres: Some city pools, splash pads, arenas and community centres will probably be operating. Visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay for details. Some outdoor recreation facilities may also be open, weather permitting. Visit burlington.ca/outdoorplay for more information. Tyandaga Golf Course is open.
Halton Provincial Offences Court: Closed Monday.
Free parking: Available Monday within the downtown core in municipal lots, on-street and within the parking garage. Nevertheless, the Waterfront parking lots (east and west) don’t provide free parking on statutory holidays. Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions for more.
Burlington Transit: Transit will operate a vacation schedule Sunday. The downtown transit terminal, specialized dispatch and the administration office will probably be closed on Monday.
Government offices: City halls, the Enterprise Centre and administration offices are all closed on Monday. Some offices, like St. Catharines, will reopen on Easter Monday.
Child care centres, public health and Provincial Offences Court: Closed Monday.
Parks, recreation and culture services: Administration offices are all closed on Monday.
Landfill / waste and recycling drop-off depots: Niagara Road is closed. Bridge Street, Humberstone, Thorold Yard are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Community centres: All older adult centres and arenas will either be closed or have reduced hours on Monday.
St. Catharines Museum; Welland Canals Centre: Each facilities will probably be open Monday from 9 a.m. to five p.m.
St. Catharines Transit; Niagara Falls Transit: Each services will operate on a vacation schedule for Victoria Day.
Welland Transit: No daytime or evening service Monday.
Canada Post: Outlets will probably be closed Monday.
Grocery stores: Major grocery stores like Fortinos, Metro, Fresh Co. and No Frills will probably be closed on Monday
Shoppers Drug Mart: Many locations will probably be open on Monday, but not all. Hours may be seen on the Shoppers store locator map.
Malls: Most major shopping centres in Hamilton, Burlington, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls will probably be closed on Monday.
Nevertheless, there are exceptions for shopping centres designated by the province as tourist attractions including retailers in Yorkville, downtown Yonge, Queen’s Quay West, the Distillery District and in Niagara Falls.
Closed on Monday:
- Eastgate Square
- Lime Ridge Mall
- The Centre on Barton
- The Pen Centre
- Fairview Mall
- Mapleview Centre
- Burlington Centre
Open on Monday:
- Vaughan Mills shopping center will probably be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Square One will probably be open from 11 a.m. to six p.m.
- CF Eaton Centre will probably be open from 11 a.m. to six p.m.
- Toronto Premium Outlets will probably be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Upper Canada Mall will probably be open from 11 a.m. to six p.m.
Walmart: Most Walmarts within the GTHA will probably be closed however the Niagara Falls Supercentre on Oakwood Drive will probably be open on Monday between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Alcohol
The Beer Store: Some Beer Stores will probably be open on Victoria Day. They include:
Hamilton
- Parkdale Avenue North (at Barton Street)
- Barton Street East (at Ottawa Street North)
- Fennell Avenue East (at Upper Gage)
- Eastgate Square
- Barton Street East (at Ferguson Avenue)
- Upper James Street (at Stone Church Road)
Brantford
- Murray Street (at Grey)
- King George Road (at Royal Oak Drive)
- Market Street South (at Icomm Drive)
Burlington
- Guelph Line (at Upper Middle Road)
- Recent Street (at Appleby Line)
LCBO: Stores will probably be closed Monday. Some LCBO Convenience Outlets will probably be open where permitted by law. More information may be seen at LCBO.com hours.
Tourist destinations
Niagara Falls: Most Niagara Falls attractions will probably be running on the vacation Monday, including the Niagara Parks Power Station, Journey Behind the Falls, Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Conservatory and all the character and garden parks and centres.
Nevertheless, some heritage sites just like the McKenzie Printery, Whirlpool Aero Cars, Niagara City Crews and McFarland House will probably be closed. Also, some dining spots just like the Whirlpool Restaurant and Legends On The Niagara will probably be closed.
More details on Easter weekend hours for Niagara Falls attractions may be seen on the Niagara Parks website.
Toronto: Most Toronto attractions will probably be open on Monday including:
- Ripley’s Aquarium will probably be open from 9 a.m. t0 11 p.m.
- The Toronto Zoo will probably be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Art Gallery of Ontario will probably be open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The Ontario Science Centre will probably be open from 10 a.m. to five p.m.
- The Royal Ontario Museum will probably be open from 10 a.m. to five:30 p.m.
- Riverdale Farm will probably be open from 9 a.m. to five p.m.
- High Park Zoo will probably be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
