Labour Day is fast approaching, bringing with it the symbolic end of the summer. It's the chance to enjoy one more fun long weekend before we all turn our attention in earnest to our schoolwork, our work-work, and counting down the days until spooky season.
It's going to be a mild Labour Day in Montreal, according to weather forecasts. The city is expected to be about 20 degrees with the humidity, with scattered showers throughout the day.
Labour Day is a national statutory holiday, so many public spaces will be closed or have reduced opening hours.
While grocery stores and pharmacies are generally open on Labour Day, it would still be wise to check the opening hours of your preferred locations and plan in advance if needed. Nobody wants Monday to roll around and to realize that they have to wait until Tuesday to refill their meds.
What's open in Montreal on Labour Day?
- Espace pour la vie (Space for Life) museums:
- Montreal Botanical Garden
- Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium
- Montreal Insectarium
- Montreal Biodome
- Montreal Biosphere
- Société de transport de Montréal (STM)
- Public transit will run on a holiday schedule. Be sure to look up specific bus and metro times before making Labour Day plans to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
- Exo Commuter Trains
- Exo trains will still be running to and from the downtown core. Like many other statutory holidays, Exo trains will be following a Sunday schedule on Labour Day.
- Garbage and recycling pick-up
- All garbage, recycling, large items, dead leaves, and compost usually picked up on Mondays will be picked up on Labour Day as usual.
- 311 city service centre
- You can still call 311, but expect reduced hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
- Ecocentres
- Public Markets of Montreal
- All markets except the Ahuntsic-Cartierville market will be open on Labour Day. Individual merchants may opt to work on a reduced schedule.
- Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC)
- Brick and mortar locations and the online store will both be available as usual. Delivery through Canada Post will be delayed, since Canada Post is closed nationwide on Labour Day.
- Some outlets may be closed for Labour Day.
- Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)
- Some outlets may be closed for Labour Day.
- Most cinemas
- Individual cinemas may have reduced hours, so check before you head out.
- Most bars and restaurants
- Most grocery stores
- Most depanneurs
- La Ronde
What's closed in Montreal on Labour Day?
- Many malls and shopping centres, including:
- CF Fairview Pointe Claire
- CF Carrefour Laval
- Plaza Côte-des-Neiges
- Carrefour Angrignon
- Galeries d'Anjou
- Banks
- Canada Post
- Federal and provincial service centres
- Passport Canada
- Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)
- Accès Montréal offices
- City of Montreal permit counters
- City of Montreal administrative offices and borough halls
- Municipal court (for most people)
- "Only cases of persons in custody will be processed in court during this period at the building on 775 Rue Gosford," the City says.
- Some museums, including:
- Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
- MAC Montreal
In terms of the City's arenas, swimming pools, libraries, cultural centres, and sports facilities, schedules vary by borough so check the facility’s webpage before you head out.
