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What's open, what's closed on 2012 Canada Day weekend

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 06/29/2012 9:07 AM | Comments: 0

Canada Day falls on a Sunday this year, so holiday opening rules are a bit quirky. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

Weekend holiday law

Under federal legislation Sunday, July 1 is not considered a holiday, and retailers in municipalities with a Sunday shopping bylaw can be open the same as any other Sunday. Employers must observe Monday, July 2 as a general holiday.

The regular general holiday rules apply on Monday, July 2 and most retail businesses must be closed on this day. Retail businesses that regularly operate with four or less people, including the owner, can be open on July 2.

Other retail businesses that can open on July 2 include:

restaurants;
pharmacies;
laundromats;
boat and motor vehicle rental, repair and service shops;
places with educational, recreational or amusement purposes;
tourism and recreational facilities including summer resorts; and
other retailers selling nursery stock, flowers, garden supplies and accessories, fresh fruit and vegetables, and gasoline and related goods for motor vehicles.

—Government of Manitoba

The July long weekend has arrived, and that means some businesses are closing up shop to celebrate all things patriotic.

But Canada Day falls on a Sunday this year, so holiday hours are a bit quirky: Most businesses will remain open on the Sunday, July 1 and close on Monday, July 2.

With us so far? Good. Here’s your guide to all the long weekend closures.

Shop till you drop

All Winnipeg shopping malls will be open for regular business hours on Sunday, July 1 and closed on Monday, July 2.

The Forks Market will be open both Sunday and Monday.

Hitting the town

The Manitoba Museum: Open both Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..

The Children’s Museum: Open both Sunday and Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m..

Winnipeg Art Gallery: Closed both Sunday and Monday.

City Services

All civic offices will be closed on Monday.

Garbage and recycling will not be collected at single-family homes on Monday. Recycling days will be bumped up one day, resuming on Tuesday on Day 2 on the five-day cycle.

Cemetery grounds at Brookside, St. Vital and Transcona are open both Sunday and Monday from dawn until dusk.

Animal services will be closed on Sunday and open from noon until 5 p.m. on Monday.

Transit

Transit service will operate on a normal Sunday schedule on July 1. On Monday, buses will operate on a Saturday schedule. There will also be a free Canada Day shuttle from downtown to the Forks and Osborne from noon until midnight.

If you're headed to one of the major fireworks displays on Sunday, here's where to catch the bus afterwards:

Leaving The Forks: buses depart from Main Street at York Avenue.
Leaving Assiniboine Park to downtown: buses will be available at eastbound Portage Avenue at Overdale Street
Leaving Assiniboine Park to St. James - Assiniboia areas: buses available at westbound Portage Avenue at Overdale Street

For route and schedule information, visit winnipegtransit.com or call 311.

Taking the bus might be easier than driving to the fireworks, especially if you're headed to The Forks.

Winnipeg police announced Friday there will be limited vehicle parking at The Forks on Sunday.

After 5 p.m., vehicle access to the Forks will be limited to Waterfront Drive. Access on Waterfront Drive will be closed "sometime before 7 p.m. based on available parking at The Forks site," police said in a release.

After the fireworks display police will close Main Street from Mayfair to York avenues, and Tache Avenue from the Provencher Bridge to Rue Despins to allow pedestrians to leave the area safely. The streets will be closed for as long as an hour, police said.

City Recreation

All Winnipeg libraries will be closed on both July 1 and 2.

City of Winnipeg golf courses will be open on both Sunday and Monday.

All City of Winnipeg leisure centers will be closed on both Sunday and Monday, with the exception of Fort Rouge Leisure Centre and St. James Civic Centre.

All City of Winnipeg indoor swimming pools will be closed Sunday. Outdoor pools will be open Sunday during regular operating hours.

Weather permitting, the following 15 wading pools will be open on Sunday:

Amherst Park
Harrow Park
Dakota Park
Bronx Park
JH Bruns Park
Central Park
Keenleyside Park
McKittrick Park
Norquay Community Centre
Shaughnessy Park
Pascoe Park
Vimy Ridge Park
John Steele Park
Pirates Park
Pritchard Park

Operating hours vary by wading pool, however most are open 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Many spray pads will be open Sunday. Operating hours vary by spray pad, however most are open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The regular season schedule is in effect on Monday. For detailed schedule information for wading pools and spray pads, visit the schedule available online at the city's website or call 311.

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