Public Holidays
 

I am due to arrive in Canada (planning to arrive either at Vancouver or Toronto) and want to know if I arrive on the Labour Day Public Holiday will most shops places etc be closed. Thanks

No, most stores won't be closed. Banks will be closed, but most stores will be open with "holiday hours" (ie: open later, close sooner)

Actually, most stores in Toronto are closed on Labour Day.

Now that we have two contradictory answers, it is time to further muddy the water. In Ontario, the Retail Business Holidays Act states that retail businesses shall be closed on identified holidays, including Labour Day. Then come the exceptions - small shops, pharmacies, gas stations, necessary services, etc. The exception of relevance is that local municipalities may pass by-laws allowing retail opening in areas of tourist importance. This is why the Rideau Centre in Ottawa, as part of the By Ward Market, is open on holidays. I do not know what parts of Toronto, if any, have been similarly designated. And I have no idea what the BC laws are.

In Vancouver, other than Christmas day Shopping malls are open on holiday hours. Outside of malls stores are free to determine their own hours. Government stores, (eg liquor stores) and offices are closed. Restaurants, Bars, Casinos, etc. are of course all open. Also on Labour Day in vancouver the Molson Indy is winding up.

Confused enough yet, Sharon? <BR> <BR>If you pick Toronto, the Eaton Center, which is a huge indoor three level shopping mall in the heart of downtown, will probably be open, because (like Ridieu Center in Ottawa) it is a designated tourist attraction. <BR> <BR>Almost all restaurants will be open; tourist attractions will be open, subway and bus systems operating, but on reduced service, and there will probably be a variety of free, outdoor, entertainment, because it is a public holiday, and that's what we do here(both Toronto and Vancouver) <BR> <BR>You won't starve, but you would have trouble buying a refrigerator. But you can buy clothes, books, etc., if you pick the right parts of town. <BR> <BR>BAK <BR>

yes definetly the stores will be open in vancouver, approximately 11-5. they would be foolish not to as it is a busy back to school shopping day.