The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Saturday, Sept. 30.
The date is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day and residents are invited to Spencer Smith Park at 12:45 p.m. for a gathering at the pavilion at the east end of the park hosted by the Healthy Aboriginal Men's Circle Drum Group.
At 2 p.m. near the pavilion, the Burlington community is invited to join WhiteEagle and Amber Kakiishiway for the Walk Home to honour those who never made it home. Participants are urged to wear orange and moccasins if possible.
In 2021, the federal government passed legislation proclaiming September 30 a public holiday intended to honour and commemorate residential school survivors and the children who did not make it home.
It is also a paid holiday for employees at the City of Burlington. In lieu of it falling on a weekend this year, there will be some closures and other impacts on non-essential city services this Friday.
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City Service |
Holiday Closure Information |
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Animal Services |
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be closed to appointments on Friday, Sept. 29. To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 905-335-7777. |
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Burlington Transit |
Burlington Transit will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Friday, Sept. 29. For real-time bus information and schedules, visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca. The Downtown Transit Terminal, at 430 John St., and Specialized Dispatch will be open on Friday, Sept. 29. |
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City Hall |
Service Burlington and the Building, Renovating and Licensing counter on the main floor of City Hall at 426 Brant St., will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service on Friday, Sept. 29. Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices For online development services: |
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Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office |
Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Friday, Sept. 29. Except for the holiday closure, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All in-person services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at [email protected] or online at Halton Court Services. Payment of Provincial Offences fines is available 24/7 at www.paytickets.ca. |
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Parking |
Paid parking will be in effect on Friday, Sept. 29. Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.) on weekends and after 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. NOTE:
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Recreation Programs and Facilities |
Recreation facilities are open for registered and drop-in programs and rentals on Friday, Sept. 29, and on the holiday, Saturday, Sept. 30. Drop-in recreation program schedules are available at burlington.ca/dropinandplay. Residents are encouraged to check with the rental organization directly if there any changes to their schedule for the holiday. Customer service is also available:
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Roads, Parks and Forestry |
The administrative office will be closed on Friday, Sept. 29. Essential services will be provided as required. |
Learn more about Orange Shirt Day by clicking here.
More information about the day along with educational materials can be found on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.
