National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: closures and service impacts
In 2021, Kingston’s City Council declared that Sept. 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – will be a civic holiday to encourage municipal employees and the community to observe the occasion as intended. Learn how this may impact services, programs and facility hours for the City of Kingston, Utilities Kingston and other community organizations.
Impacts to municipal services on Sept. 30
- Garbage and green bin: There is no collection on Sept. 30. Collection will be delayed by one day this week. Sign up to receive collection reminders by phone, push notification, or email.
- Kingston Area Recycling Centre: Closed.
- Kingston Transit: Weekday schedule in effect Sept. 30. Customer Service Office closed.
- Kingston Access Bus: Buses will run as normal on Sept. 30.
- Administrative offices: All administrative offices, including Housing and Social Services and provincial offences, are closed Sept. 30.
- Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro: Open on Sept. 30 and ready to assist you from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 613-546-1181.
- INVISTA Centre/ Fitness & Wellness Centre, Artillery Park Aquatic Centre, Rideau Heights Community Centre, Kingston East Community Centre, arenas: Open Sept. 30.
- CaraCo Home Field: Open Sept. 30.
- Swimming lessons and drop-in programming: City of Kingston programs at the west-end BGC South East will continue as usual on Sept. 30.
- Confederation Basin and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour marinas: The Confederation Basin Marina office is open Sept. 30. The fuelling stations are open at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.
- Grand Theatre Box Office: Open 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Sept. 30.
- Libraries: Kingston Frontenac Public Library branches are open Sept. 30. Check for branch hours on the KFPL website.
- PumpHouse Museum: Regular hours on Sept. 30.
- Tett Centre: Office closed. Building will remain open Sept. 30.
Events
This Sept. 30, the City is supporting Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest in a gathering for community from 1 - 5:30 p.m. at Confederation Basin. This is an open event and an opportunity to learn more about how community organizations and groups are implementing the Calls to Action. Community members, storytellers, organizations and school groups will be invited to share what truth and reconciliation means to them in an open format throughout the day. City Hall will be illuminated in orange and the 94 Calls to Actions will be displayed on panels in Confederation Basin. Unveiled last year, the Every Child Matters City bus continues to raise awareness around the city.
Local gatherings and ways to engage:
Indigenous-led events and ceremonies are planned around the community to create space for Indigenous Peoples to connect and honour the day. Non-Indigenous community members are invited to attend, listen, learn and reflect on the history of Canada’s residential school system and the lived experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit.
- Sept. 25: Lunch and Learn
- Sept. 28: True North Aid/Cataraqui Conservation Reconciliation Walk
- Sept. 30: Community Walk for Truth and Reconciliation – Organized by the community, the walk for Truth and Reconciliation is taking place in solidarity with those that have been affected by residential schools. Attendees are invited to gather at McBurney Park at 5:30 p.m. The walk will begin at 6 p.m. travelling down Princess Street and ending at Confederation Basin.
- Sept. 30 – Nov. 3: Kingston Frontenac Public Library Reading Challenge
Contact Us
City of Kingston
City Hall
216 Ontario Street
Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3
Canada
contactus@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-0000
The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.
