Arab Canada News - Ahmad Al-Saleh - Ottawa

Thanksgiving in Canada is an official holiday that occurs on the second Monday of October each year, which falls this year on October 9, 2023. It is considered a family occasion where family and friends gather, and it has deep historical and cultural significance for Canadian residents. It is also associated with the closure of several official and unofficial entities in Canada.

Therefore, let's get to know the institutions and entities that will be closed during this holiday, and those that will remain open, through this news report from Arab News Canada.

What are the institutions that will be closed on Thanksgiving in Canada?

On this occasion that spans all Canadian cities, the following entities will officially close:

• Federal, provincial, and municipal government offices across Canada will be closed on Thanksgiving, including all agencies and institutions managed by the government in all Canadian territories, except for institutions that require round-the-clock staffing, such as police stations and hospitals.
• Banks, credit unions, and financial institutions will also be closed on Monday for Thanksgiving, but ATMs and online banking services will be available for basic transactions.
• Public libraries in Canada usually follow the holiday schedule, which means that they will be closed or some will reduce their working hours on Thanksgiving Day in Canada.
• Educational institutions, including schools and universities, will suspend their operations for the entire day.
• Retail stores and shopping malls will also close their doors on Thanksgiving.
• Mail delivery services will be suspended, and there will be no operations at post offices on Thanksgiving.
• Private businesses and offices.

What institutions will remain open on Thanksgiving?

1. Although Thanksgiving in Canada is considered an official holiday, some institutions or entities are required to operate on this day just like any other day, such as:
2. Police and security centers, fire services, hospitals, and all government centers that require staffing around the clock.
3. Restaurants and cafes, which may celebrate Thanksgiving by offering special meals for the occasion without the need to close.
4. Grocery stores, some of which operate reduced hours on this day.
5. Gas stations
6. Pharmacies
7. Tourist areas, museums, recreational facilities, amusement parks, etc.
8. Public transportation

General Information about Thanksgiving in Canada 2023

Canadians have been celebrating what is known as "Thanksgiving" for hundreds of years, and this celebration is associated with the arrival of autumn and harvest, to give thanks to God for the abundant crops. It is an ancient European tradition brought by European immigrants to Canada and has become a prevalent custom in Canada.

Thanksgiving was officially declared as a holiday in the country by an act of the Canadian Parliament in 1879, originally designated for the sixth of October for the celebration, but it changed several times over the years, until 1957 when the second Monday of October was adopted as a holiday for Thanksgiving in Canada.

Canadians usually enjoy a traditional meal on this day, consisting mainly of turkey, accompanied by several special sauces, and pumpkin pie, decorating their homes with it.