What’s open and what’s closed on Canada Day

Here's a look at what will be open and closed on the Canada Day:

BUSINESSES

Canada Day is a designated retail closing day in Nova Scotia, which means you can expect most stores and businesses to be shut down on Wednesday.

This includes grocery stores, NSLCs and malls.

Many pharmacies will be open, however they may have reduced hours of operation on July 1.

Expect banks to be closed Wednesday.

Several other businesses may be closed or have reduced operating hours on Canada Day, it's best to call ahead.

TRANSPORTATION

Halifax Transit buses will be operating on holiday service on Canada Day.

The Alderney Ferry service will temporarily increase to a 15 minute frequency on July 1. The first crossing will depart the Alderney terminal at 10 a.m. and the final crossing will depart the Halifax terminal at 9:45 p.m. Capacity is limited to 50 passengers per trip.

There will be no Woodside ferry service on Canada Day. 

On-street parking meter spaces will be free, however motorists are reminded to abide by other posted signage.

SERVICES

Most branches of the Halifax Public Libraries are already closed due to COVID-19, with plans to reopen for in-person services by Tuesday, July 7. According to halifaxpubliclibraries.ca, the Cole Harbour Public Library is open by appointment only for a few hours in the afternoons Monday to Friday, however the branch will be closed on Canada Day.

Canada Post will not be collecting or delivering mail on July 1.

With Canada Day falling on Wednesday, if that's your curbside collection day, you'll need to put your garbage, compost and recycling out for pickup on the following Saturday, July 4.

Municipal splashpads, with the exception of Bayers Westwood, have reopened. The Bayers Westwood splashpad will reopen in mid-July. 

All municipal pools remain closed.

All municipal playgrounds are open. 

Public washrooms and first aid at the Emera Oval pavilion will be opening on Monday, July 6. Rentals are not available until further notice, however those with their own equipment are welcome to cycle and rollerblade. As per provincial law, all users are required to wear a helmet in the summer season.

Municipally-operated facilities are currently closed. Following safety measures provided by public health, fitness centres at Captain William Spry Community Centre, Sackville Sports Stadium and Musquodoboit Harbour Recreation Centre will reopen on Monday, July 6.

All municipal beaches are open and lifeguards will be in place from July 6 to August 31. Residents are reminded to always use caution when in or on the water.

Lifeguards return to provincial beaches on Wednesday.

The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility, the Halifax recycling facility and municipal composting facilities will be closed on Canada Day, but will be open for regular operating hours on Saturday, July 4.

The Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake remains closed until further notice.

The 311 Contact Centre will be operating on regular hours on July 1 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All Customer Contact Centres and Planning & Development counter services are currently closed to the public.