Ontarians will be celebrating Victoria Day on May 20th, a day off for most individuals in the province. This federal holiday marks the official birthday of Canada’s late sovereign, Queen Victoria, and is considered the beginning of the summer season. Many services and facilities will be affected by the holiday, such as administrative offices, licensing and bylaw services, waste collection, public transportation, Ontario Works, recreation centers, museums, libraries, arenas, and animal services in the Hamilton, Burlington, and Niagara Region areas.
In Hamilton, administrative offices, community recycling centers, and recreation centers will be closed on Monday. Public transportation, including HSR buses and GO Transit trains and buses, will be operating on a modified schedule. Ontario Works, government offices, and animal services will also be closed. However, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope will be open to visitors. In Burlington, services such as animal shelter and control, recreation centers, Halton Provincial Offenses Court, and parking regulations will be affected by the holiday. Some outdoor recreational facilities, like Tyandaga Golf Course, will remain open to the public.
In the Niagara Region, Niagara Regional Transit buses will operate on a holiday schedule, with some areas like Fort Erie and Welland not running on Monday. Additionally, Canada Post will not have collection or mail delivery services, and most grocery stores, shopping malls, and Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be closed. However, tourist destinations like Niagara Falls, and select LCBO and Wine Rack locations, including some in the GTA, will remain open. In Toronto, certain tourist areas like Yorkville, downtown Yonge, and Queen’s Quay West will have designated retailers that can operate on the holiday.
Tourist destinations in Niagara Falls and Toronto will have adjusted hours on Victoria Day. In Niagara Falls, attractions like the Whirlpool Aero Car, White Water Walk, and Niagara City Cruises will be open. Additionally, the Butterfly Conservatory will be available for visitors. In Toronto, popular attractions such as the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Zoo, Ontario Science Centre, Ripley’s Aquarium, Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum, and Aga Khan Museum will have adjusted hours on the holiday. Overall, Victoria Day will bring about changes to many services and facilities throughout Ontario, with some places remaining open to cater to the holiday crowds.
