Easter weekend presents various insights that families in Ontario should pay attention to. While some may celebrate Easter Sunday, others might prefer Monday. However, the availability of services and stores differs on these days.
Holiday Observations
Neither Easter Sunday nor Easter Monday are statutory holidays in Ontario. Still, Monday is recognized as a paid holiday for federal employees. This discrepancy impacts the operation of city services and retail establishments.
City Services
Most city services will be closed over the Easter holiday. The 3-1-1 call center will only be available for urgent matters. Notably, there will be no curbside collection of green bins, recycling, or garbage on Monday.
- Garbage pickup will shift to Tuesday, April 7.
- All other collection services will be delayed by one day for the week.
Health Services
Many Ottawa Public Health services will not operate on Monday. This affects clinics such as:
- Sexual health clinic
- Dental clinics
- Parenting drop-ins
However, the harm reduction site mobile van will function from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
OC Transpo Services
OC Transpo will adhere to a specific schedule over Easter weekend. On Easter Sunday, all services will follow a regular Sunday timetable. In contrast, Monday will see:
- Bus and O-Train Line 1 operating on a reduced weekday schedule.
- O-Train Lines 2 and 4 providing normal weekday services.
OC Transpo Customer Service will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Note that regular bookings for Para Transpo on Monday will be cancelled, but customers can rebook by calling 613-560-5000.
Shopping Opportunities
Grocery stores will be closed on Easter Sunday. Similarly, LCBO and Beer Stores will also not operate. On Monday, most grocery stores will reopen but might have altered hours.
Furthermore, all malls and retail stores will close on Sunday. On Monday, the following shopping centers will welcome customers:
- Rideau Centre
- Tanger Outlets
- Bayshore Mall
- Billings Bridge Shopping Centre
- Carlingwood Shopping Centre
- St. Laurent Centre
- Place d’Orleans
In summary, Easter weekend in Ontario features specific guidelines regarding city services, transportation, and shopping venues. Families should plan accordingly to make the most of the holiday period.
