What’s open and closed on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 30 in Toronto

The fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada is on Tuesday, Sept. 30 and some services will not be operating.

The day recognizes the ongoing trauma caused by Canada’s residential schools on Indigenous families and communities.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemorates the loss of Indigenous people at the hands of residential schools and honours their families as well as survivors.

What’s closed in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 30:

• Banks
• Canada Post
• Canada Revenue Agency
• Passport services

Services, including city hall, community centres, museums and public libraries, will be open in Toronto.

Flags at City Hall, civic centres and other City facilities will be at half-mast. The Survivors’ Flag will be at half-mast at City Hall and civic centres. The flag is a symbol of remembrance of survivors of the residential school system and the many lives and communities impacted by that system.

All are welcome at a public gathering honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Campfire sculpture at Humber Bay Shores Park in Toronto. Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations Chief Claire Sault will be speaking, and wearing an orange shirt is encouraged.

The Toronto Zoo is also recognizing Sept. 30 by filling their front entrance with orange ribbons and welcoming quiet reflection in their First Nation Art Garden. They’re also extending complimentary admission to all Indigenous Peoples on Sept. 30. Revue Cinema will be recognizing the day in their own way with a free screening of Night Raiders, taking donations at the door and online and directing partial proceeds from concessions for the day to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

To show support on Sept. 30, you can wear an orange shirt or pin, available from the Toronto History Museums online shop.

Toronto has a Reconciliation Action Plan that aims to guide the city’s actions towards reconciliation and justice from 2022 to 2032, and The City of Toronto’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation page has resources for education and mental health support.