What's Open And Closed This Victoria Day

CBC reported on May 15 that Waterloo Region and Guelph residents should expect a broad set of Victoria Day closures on Monday, May 18, including most government offices, banks and elementary and high schools. Retail rules are different this year after Ontario changed the Retail Business Holidays Act in April, meaning more stores may open on the holiday, CBC said. Grand River Transit said on May 14 that buses and ION will run on a holiday service schedule on Monday, while the City of Guelph said city administration offices, recreation centres, library branches and several cultural facilities will be closed. Guelph also said waste collection on or after the holiday will be delayed by one day. ### Which offices and public buildings are closed on Monday? (cbc.ca) CBC said most government offices, banks, and elementary and high schools in Waterloo Region and Guelph will be closed for Victoria Day on May 18. The broadcaster’s local holiday guide said some arenas and community centres will also be shut. The City of Guelph said all city administration offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday. (grt.ca) Guelph said the closures also cover all recreation centres, all Guelph Public Library branches, the Waste Resource Innovation Centre, the Sleeman Centre office and arena, Centennial Arena, Exhibition Arena, River Run Centre, Guelph Civic Museum, McCrae House and the Guelph Sports Dome. (cbc.ca) Wellington County Library said all branches will be closed on Sunday, May 17, and Monday, May 18, for the holiday weekend. ### Will buses and paratransit still be running? Grand River Transit said on May 14 that it will operate on a holiday service schedule on Monday, May 18, for Victoria Day. The agency said holiday service is marked on route schedules and that MobilityPLUS service will operate. (guelph.ca) GRT said subscription MobilityPLUS trips for May 18 will be automatically cancelled, and riders who need trips can rebook in advance by calling 519-744-2241. (library.wellington.ca) Customer service centres in Kitchener and Cambridge will be closed on the holiday, according to GRT. The City of Guelph said riders should check Guelph Transit schedules online for Monday service. (grt.ca) Guelph Transit’s service information says holiday on-demand service runs from 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., while Route 99 Mainline runs every 30 minutes during that period. ### What happens to garbage and recycling pickup? The Region of Waterloo said 2026 curbside collection schedules changed beginning March 2 and residents should confirm pickup dates by address using the region’s online tool or the WasteWhiz app. (grt.ca) The region’s downtown-area waste page says Victoria Day collections in designated downtown areas are delayed to the next business day. (guelph.ca) The City of Guelph said waste collection on or following statutory holidays has a one-day delay. Guelph directed residents to the Guelph Waste app or its online waste schedule page to confirm revised pickup dates. Wellington County said curbside pickup moves to an alternate collection day when a regular collection day falls on a statutory holiday. The county said garbage is collected every other week, while blue box and green bin collection run every week. (regionofwaterloo.ca) ### Are stores automatically closed this year? CBC reported that retail businesses may be open on Monday after Ontario changed the Retail Business Holidays Act in April. (guelph.ca) That marks a change from prior Victoria Day rules, when many stores needed exemptions to open. The CBC guide did not say all retailers will open, and municipal holiday pages focus mainly on public services rather than private business hours. (wellington.ca) Residents still need to check individual stores, malls and pharmacies before making a trip. ### Where should residents check before heading out? Grand River Transit said holiday service details for Monday, May 18, are posted on its schedules and alerts pages, including information on MobilityPLUS bookings and customer service centre closures. (cbc.ca) The City of Guelph said its holiday-hours page lists closures and waste changes for Monday, while Wellington County posts alternate curbside collection dates and library holiday closures online. (cbc.ca) Monday’s next service changes take effect when regular business hours and regular collection schedules resume after the holiday. (guelph.ca) (grt.ca)