Transportation will be free on Canada Day, and most shopping centers will be closed.

If you are looking to run some errands on Canada Day but are unsure what will be open, here is a guide to help you.

Canada Day will again look a little different from previous years, as national in-person shows have returned, but construction work at the Parliament building has moved the stage to LeBreton Flats.

In the past, Parliament Hill last hosted the national Canada Day party in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vehicle exclusion zone

There will be the usual road closures on Canada Day and early Saturday, with more closures near LeBreton Flats due to the change in the show location.

But Ottawa Police are establishing a "vehicle control zone" with no street parking whatsoever, and protest vehicles will not be allowed entry from 8 a.m. on Wednesday until at least 6 a.m. on Monday.

Otherwise, people will be allowed to pass through these checkpoints.

Grocery stores and shopping centers

Most shopping centers in Ottawa will be closed on Canada Day Friday. While Rideau Centre will only be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A few grocery stores will be open, including Loblaws locations on Isabella and Rideau streets and Whole Foods in Lansdowne Park.

To be sure, check the store hours before heading out to shop.

Alcohol stores

All LCBO locations will be closed on Friday. Some convenient LCBO outlets may open if local rules permit. Regular hours will resume on Saturday.

Only four beer stores in Ottawa will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., which are 1860 Bank Street, 1984 Baseline Rd, 515 Somerset Street, 548 Montreal Road.

COVID-19 testing centers

All COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be closed for Canada Day. While three COVID-19 testing sites will be open.

The Ottawa hospital assessment center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the CHEO center from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the Brewer Park testing site from noon to 4 p.m.

City services

OC Transpo will offer free service on Canada Day and also during the first four hours of July 2.

Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule. LRT replacement buses and Line 2 will run on a special Canada Day schedule, starting at 6 a.m.

Line 1 trains will run until 2 a.m., and Line 2 buses until 1 a.m.

If Friday is the regular trash collection day in your neighborhood, it will be moved to Saturday.

All city parking regulations and restrictions will still apply. New event-related restrictions will be posted by area in the city.

Parking restrictions will remain in effect until signs are removed, and the city asks drivers to check for signs before parking. Failure to comply with these restrictions may result in fines and vehicle towing.

All Ottawa Public Library branches and childcare services in the city will be closed for Canada Day.

The Site program office and consumption site on Clarence Street will also be closed, but its mobile truck will operate from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Editor: Dima Abu Khair