What’s open and closed Sept 30 for Truth and Reconciliation Day in St Catharines and Niagara Region

The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed this year on Thursday, September 30.

This newly established federal statutory holiday honours the lost children and Survivors of Canada’s residential schools, their families and communities. It’s also a day to reflect on this tragic history and its painful impact on generations of Indigenous people in Canada.

While several provinces have followed Ottawa’s lead in making September 30 a statutory holiday, Ontario has not. Ontario employers can choose to give workers the day off should they choose.

Niagara Region residents are reminded that it is not a public holiday and only federally regulated workplaces, including federal government offices, banks and post offices will be closed.

Here’s what is open and closed in Niagara Region on September 30:

Open:

All municipal city and town halls though several will be observing the day in some fashion from wearing orange shirts to take a moment’s silence

Most restaurants but call ahead to be sure

Grocery stores

Shoppers Drug Marts and other pharmacies

Major malls

All Beer Stores will be open

All LCBOs will be open though all have shifted their opening time to noon.

Popular Niagara Falls tourist attractions, such as Bird Kingdom, the Butterfly Conservatory, the Great Canadian Midway, the Niagara Falls Fun Zone at Clifton Hill, the brand new Niagara Parks Power Station and Ripley’s Believe It or Not will all be open with masks needed and proper social distancing.

Some 63 Niagara-region wineries/vineyards are open. Phone your favourite for times.

All Niagara area craft breweries but call ahead to see if opening hours are adjusted

Libraries and community centres

Movie theatres

Garbage and recycling normally performed on a Thursday

Closed:

Banks

LCBO head offices

Federal government offices

Post offices

Transit:

All municipal transit lines will run on a regular schedule

This list will be updated as more information becomes available.