What you need to know about Victoria Day in Canada

People swim in the Ottawa River on the Victoria Day long weekend at Britannia Beach in Ottawa on May 24, 2021. (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press)

The unofficial start of summer will begin on Victoria Day this Monday in Canada.

This federal statutory holiday marks Queen Victoria’s birthday. Though the queen’s birthday is actually on May 24, the holiday usually occurs on the last Monday before May 25. This year, Victoria Day is on May 18.

Many retailers, businesses and schools will be closed on May 18. Provinces that mark the federal statutory holiday include British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut. The Retail Council of Canada says, “Retailers can be open on holidays as long as they pay their employees according to law.”

Victoria Day is not a paid statutory holiday in Quebec – which celebrates National Patriots’ Day – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Some businesses will be open that day and many schools will also be closed, depending on the province.

New Brunswick considers Victoria Day one of its “Prescribed Days of Rest,” rather than a paid public holiday, and requires businesses to close.

Here’s what’s open and closed during the federal statutory holiday.

Federal government offices

Government offices including passport offices and Service Canada are generally closed on statutory holidays, including Victoria Day.

Provincial and territorial government offices

Provincial and territorial offices will generally be closed, particularly in places that mark public holidays. Check with the office to confirm closures.

Canada Post

Canada Post shuts down, with no collection or delivery of mail, during national, provincial and territorial holidays, including Victoria Day and National Patriots’ Day. If you need postal service, you can visit privately run post offices.

Retailers and malls

Many retailers are closed or operate reduced hours in all the provinces that mark public holidays. The rules around stores’ holiday hours vary in each jurisdiction, according to the Retail Council of Canada. Check with the specific shopping mall or store to confirm schedules.

Starting this year, retailers across Ontario can now choose to open on Victoria Day due to changes to the Retail Business Holidays Act, though it is not mandatory, according to the Retail Council of Canada.

Gas stations, convenience stores and other essential retailers are generally allowed to open on statutory holidays, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Transit

Holiday schedules will be in effect for many transit services where public holidays are observed. Check their websites for schedules.

Movie theatres

Many movie theatres are open on Victoria Day. Visit their websites to confirm schedules.

Schools

Elementary and secondary schools are generally closed in the places that mark statutory holidays, including Victoria Day.

Banks

Branches for many major banks will be closed on Monday, but online banking and ATMs are available.

Grocery and retail stores

Some major grocery and retail stores, such as Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall, will be open on Monday with special holiday hours.

Check their websites or call ahead to confirm which stores are open.

City-run services

Municipal administrative offices are usually closed on public holidays. Some will be open with modified holiday hours.

Garbage and recycling collection generally don’t occur on statutory holidays. Many libraries will also be closed. Emergency services won’t be affected. Check municipal websites to confirm details.