Ottawa and Quebec Set Thanksgiving Holiday Hours for October 12

Residents of Ottawa and Quebec face adjusted business hours and public services for Thanksgiving on Monday, October 12, 2026, with grocery stores, shopping centers, transit systems and municipal facilities following holiday schedules. Coverage published by CityNews Ottawa and Noovo Info outlines which services remain available and which close for the Canadian statutory holiday.

In Ottawa, most grocery stores will close, although several locations will operate with reduced hours. CityNews Ottawa reported that public transportation will run on a Sunday schedule, while garbage, recycling and green bin collection will be postponed until Tuesday, October 13.

In Quebec, Noovo Info reported that convenience stores, pharmacies, restaurants, bars, cinemas, gas stations and some grocery stores are expected to remain open. Certain recycling centers and select locations of the Société des alcools du Québec and the Société québécoise du cannabis will also operate, although hours may vary.

CityNews Ottawa identified seven grocery locations scheduled to open on Thanksgiving: Farm Boy Metcalfe from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Farm Boy Rideau from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Whole Foods at Lansdowne from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Loblaws locations on Isabella Street and Rideau Street from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Metro Glebe on Bank Street will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while Metro on Rideau Street will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Rideau Centre will open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tanger Outlets will also remain open, according to CityNews Ottawa. Other shopping malls are scheduled to close. LCBO locations and Beer Stores in Ottawa will remain closed throughout the day.

OC Transpo buses and O-Train services will follow Sunday schedules. O-Train Line 1 will operate from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., while Lines 2 and 4 will run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The city advised passengers to plan journeys using its transit planning tools.

Regular and recurring Para Transpo bookings for October 12 will be canceled automatically. CityNews Ottawa reported that customers can arrange holiday trips by calling 613-560-5000 or using My Para Transpo, with the reservation phone line operating from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ottawa's curbside green bin, garbage and recycling collections will not take place on Monday. Collections will resume Tuesday, October 13, with the remaining pickups delayed by one day for the rest of the week.

Most Ottawa recreation and community centers will close, although selected pools, arenas and fitness facilities will operate on modified schedules. City-operated museums, galleries, Ben Franklin Place, Shenkman Arts Centre and the Nepean Creative and Visual Arts Centres will also close.

All four Employment and Social Services offices, municipal child care centers and Ottawa Public Library branches will be closed on Monday. The Ottawa 3-1-1 Contact Centre will handle urgent matters only, while ServiceOttawa customer service counters and phone lines will be unavailable. Library branches are scheduled to reopen during regular hours on Tuesday, October 13.

In Quebec, most provincial and federal service offices, Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec offices, financial institutions and Canada Post services will close for the holiday. Most Société des alcools du Québec branches will also shut, although selected Express locations will operate on special schedules.

Noovo Info noted that Thanksgiving in Canada falls on the second Monday of October, unlike the US holiday celebrated in November. Canada's Parliament established the date through a proclamation on January 31, 1957, describing the occasion as a day to give thanks for the country's abundant harvests.