Last Updated On 1 April 2026, 5:52 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
Millions of Canadians are preparing for one of the biggest statutory holidays of the spring season this week: Good Friday.
Banks, government offices, schools, and most retail stores across every province and territory will shut their doors on April 3, 2026.
But not everything closes down for the day.
Several major grocery chains, pharmacies, shopping malls, tourist attractions, and essential services will remain open with modified hours during the holiday.
Knowing exactly what is open and what is closed on Good Friday can save you from unnecessary trips, missed deadlines, and last-minute scrambles for essentials.
Here is the complete province-by-province guide to everything that is open and closed on Good Friday and this weekend across Canada.
Table of Contents
What Is Good Friday and Why Does It Matter in Canada
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday and it is one of the most widely observed statutory holidays in Canada.
It falls on April 3, 2026 this year and marks the Christian commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Good Friday is recognized as a federal statutory holiday across all of Canada.
This means that all federally regulated workplaces, including banks, post offices, and government agencies, are required to close for the day.
Every province and territory in Canada recognizes Good Friday as a statutory holiday with the exception of Quebec, where it is partially observed.
In Quebec, employers must give their staff either Good Friday or Easter Monday off but they are not required to provide both days.
The Easter long weekend in 2026 spans from Friday, April 3, through Monday, April 6, which gives most Canadians a welcome four-day break.
Easter 2026 Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Statutory holiday nationwide |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | Holy Saturday | Regular weekend day |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Retail closing day in some provinces |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Federal holiday only |
Government Services Closed on Good Friday 2026
All levels of government will observe the Good Friday closure across Canada on April 3, 2026.
Service Canada offices will be closed in every province and territory for the entire day.
ServiceOntario locations will also be shut down, although some online services remain accessible throughout the weekend.
Provincial government offices in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador will all be closed.
Municipal government offices and city halls across the country will not be open for in-person services.
Courts and tribunals at all levels will be closed and will resume regular operations on the next business day.
Passport Canada offices will be closed and no new passport applications will be processed until after the holiday weekend.
If you need to complete any government transactions before the long weekend, make sure to visit your local office no later than Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Canada Post and Mail Delivery on Good Friday
Canada Post will not collect or deliver any mail or parcels on Good Friday, April 3, 2026.
All corporate Canada Post outlets will be closed for the day.
However, some privately operated post offices located inside Shoppers Drug Mart and other retail locations may remain open with modified hours.
Regular mail collection and delivery services will resume on the next scheduled delivery day after the holiday.
If you are expecting an important package, plan ahead and ensure it arrives before Thursday evening to avoid delays.
Banks and Financial Institutions Closed on Good Friday
All major Canadian banks will be closed on Good Friday, including RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC, and National Bank of Canada.
Bank branches will not be open for any in-person transactions on April 3, 2026.
ATMs will remain fully operational and accessible across the country throughout the long weekend.
Online banking and mobile banking services will continue to function normally for bill payments, transfers, and account management.
Wire transfers and time-sensitive financial transactions initiated this Friday will not be processed until the next business day.
The Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, and the Montreal Exchange will all be closed on Good Friday and will reopen on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Credit card payments made on the holiday may take an extra business day to reflect in your account.
Province by Province Guide to Good Friday Closures and Hours
Ontario
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in Ontario and most retail establishments are required to close under the Retail Business Holidays Act.
Major grocery chains, including Loblaws, Metro, Walmart, Costco, and FreshCo, will be closed in Ontario on April 3.
Select locations of Loblaws such as the Carlton Street store in Toronto will remain open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Some No Frills, Farm Boy, and Whole Foods locations will operate with reduced hours on Good Friday.
All LCBO and Beer Store locations across Ontario will be closed for the entire day.
Most Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall pharmacy locations will remain open with modified hours.
The TTC in Toronto will operate on a holiday Sunday schedule starting at approximately 6 a.m.
GO Transit will follow Saturday schedules and some routes without Saturday service will not operate at all.
Ontario Shopping Malls Open This Friday
| Mall | Location | Good Friday Status |
| Toronto Eaton Centre | Toronto | Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Yorkdale Shopping Centre | Toronto | Closed |
| Scarborough Town Centre | Scarborough | Closed |
| Sherway Gardens | Etobicoke | Closed |
| Square One Shopping Centre | Mississauga | Closed |
| Vaughan Mills | Vaughan | Closed |
| Pacific Mall | Markham | Open with reduced hours |
| CF Markville | Markham | Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Promenade Shopping Centre | Thornhill | Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Ontario Tourist Attractions Open This Friday
| Attraction | Good Friday Hours |
| CN Tower | 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Ripley’s Aquarium | 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Royal Ontario Museum | 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Art Gallery of Ontario | 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Casa Loma | 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Hockey Hall of Fame | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Toronto Zoo | 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Bata Shoe Museum | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Aga Khan Museum | 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Cineplex Theatres | Open regular hours |
British Columbia
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in British Columbia and most workers are entitled to a paid day off.
Unlike Ontario, retailers in BC are allowed to open on Good Friday as long as they pay their employees according to statutory holiday pay requirements.
Many major shopping malls in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland will be open with modified hours on Good Friday.
CF Pacific Centre, Metropolis at Metrotown, Park Royal, and The Amazing Brentwood will all be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Most grocery stores, including Safeway and Superstore, will be open but with reduced hours.
Costco locations in BC will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Good Friday.
BC Liquor Stores will operate with reduced hours, typically from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. depending on the location.
TransLink buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus services will run on a Sunday holiday schedule throughout the day.
The Vancouver Art Gallery, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and Science World will all be open on Good Friday.
Vancouver Public Library branches will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Alberta
Good Friday is one of the nine statutory holidays recognized in Alberta.
All eligible employees are entitled to general holiday pay if they have worked for the same employer for at least 30 days in the preceding 12 months.
Retailers in Alberta are permitted to open on Good Friday provided they compensate employees with statutory holiday pay.
Most government offices, banks, and schools across Alberta will be closed on April 3, 2026.
Easter Monday on April 6 is an optional general holiday in Alberta, which means employers are not required to give the day off.
Public transit services in Calgary and Edmonton will operate on holiday schedules with reduced frequency.
Quebec
Quebec has unique rules for the Easter weekend that differ from the rest of Canada.
Employers in Quebec must give their employees either Good Friday or Easter Mondayoff but they are not required to provide both days.
Many businesses in Quebec choose to remain open on Good Friday and close on Easter Monday instead.
Easter Sunday is a retail closing day in Quebec for most retailers, although some exceptions exist based on municipal jurisdiction.
The SAQ (Societe des alcools du Quebec) may have modified hours on Good Friday depending on the location.
Public transit services, including the STM in Montreal, will operate on reduced holiday schedules.
Manitoba
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in Manitoba and civic offices across the province will be closed.
Since 2021, retail establishments in Manitoba have been allowed to open on Good Friday if they choose to do so.
Several Winnipeg malls, including St. Vital Centre, Polo Park, and Outlet Collection Winnipeg will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All Manitoba Liquor Marts will operate with reduced hours on Good Friday.
Winnipeg Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule throughout the day.
All Winnipeg Public Library branches will be closed on Good Friday.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will remain open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Assiniboine Park Zoo will be open daily throughout the Easter weekend.
Saskatchewan
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in Saskatchewan and most government services and banks will be closed.
Retailers in Saskatchewan are permitted to open as long as they provide statutory holiday pay to employees.
Public transit services in Saskatoon and Regina will operate on holiday schedules.
Libraries and recreation centres will generally be closed or operate with limited hours.
Atlantic Provinces
Good Friday is a statutory holiday and a retail closing day in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Most retail stores, including grocery chains, will be closed in all four Atlantic provinces on April 3.
In Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, Easter Sunday is also designated as a retail closing day for most retailers.
Pharmacies may remain open for essential services in some Atlantic province locations.
Public transit services will operate on reduced holiday schedules across the Atlantic region.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in all three Canadian territories.
Retailers in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon are allowed to open on Good Friday as long as employees receive proper statutory holiday pay.
Government offices and schools will be closed across all three territories.
Essential services including hospitals and emergency services will continue to operate normally.
Good Friday Retail Rules by Province and Territory
| Province/Territory | Statutory Holiday | Retail Open on Good Friday |
| Ontario | Yes | Most retailers closed (exceptions by municipality) |
| British Columbia | Yes | Retailers allowed to open with holiday pay |
| Alberta | Yes | Retailers allowed to open with holiday pay |
| Quebec | Optional (Good Friday or Easter Monday) | Many businesses remain open |
| Manitoba | Yes | Retailers have been allowed to open since 2021 |
| Saskatchewan | Yes | Retailers allowed to open with holiday pay |
| Nova Scotia | Yes | Retail closing day |
| New Brunswick | Yes | Retail closing day |
| Prince Edward Island | Yes | Retail closing day |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Yes | Retail closing day |
| Northwest Territories | Yes | Retailers allowed to open with holiday pay |
| Nunavut | Yes | Retailers allowed to open with holiday pay |
| Yukon | Yes | Retailers allowed to open with holiday pay |
Public Transit Services on Good Friday 2026
Public transit systems across Canada will operate on modified holiday schedules on Good Friday.
| City | Transit System | Good Friday Schedule |
| Toronto | TTC | Sunday schedule starting at 6 a.m. |
| Toronto (Regional) | GO Transit | Saturday schedule |
| Vancouver | TransLink | Sunday/holiday schedule |
| Montreal | STM | Reduced holiday schedule |
| Calgary | Calgary Transit | Holiday schedule |
| Edmonton | ETS | Holiday schedule |
| Winnipeg | Winnipeg Transit | Sunday schedule |
| Ottawa | OC Transpo | Holiday schedule |
Essential Services That Stay Open This Weekend
Even though Good Friday is a statutory holiday, many essential services and businesses will continue operating across Canada.
Hospitals and emergency rooms will be open and fully operational in every province and territory.
Walk-in clinics may have modified hours so it is best to call ahead before visiting.
Pharmacies, including most Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall locations, will be open with adjusted hours.
Gas stations and convenience stores, including 7-Eleven, will remain open throughout the day.
Most restaurants and fast food chains will be open with regular or modified hours.
Movie theatres, including Cineplex locations across the country, will operate on Good Friday.
Major tourist attractions in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg will welcome visitors on the holiday.
Emergency services, including police, fire, and ambulance, will be available 24 hours a day.
Home improvement stores like Home Depot may be open in provinces where retail is allowed.
What About Easter Monday on April 6, 2026
Easter Monday is a federal statutory holiday in Canada but it is not recognized as a provincial statutory holiday in most provinces.
Federal employees, bank workers, and Canada Post employees will have Easter Monday off as a paid holiday.
All banks across Canada will be closed again on Easter Monday.
Canada Post will not deliver mail or parcels on Easter Monday.
In Ontario, Easter Monday is not a statutory holiday for private sector employees although many schools and government offices will be closed.
In Quebec, employers who chose to give off are not required to also provide Easter Monday.
Most retail stores and grocery chains will reopen with regular hours on Easter Monday in the majority of provinces.
It is always a good idea to check with your employer about whether Easter Monday is a paid day off in your workplace.
Statutory Holiday Pay Rules in Canada
Workers across Canada who are required to work on this friday are generally entitled to premium pay under provincial employment standards.
In most provinces, employees who work on a statutory holiday receive time and a half or an equivalent day off with regular pay.
Federal employees are entitled to Good Friday as one of their twelve annual statutory holidays with full pay.
Part time employees may also qualify for statutory holiday pay depending on their province and the number of hours worked in the qualifying period.
In Alberta, employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 30 days in the preceding 12 months to qualify for general holiday pay.
If you believe your employer is not providing the correct statutory holiday pay, you can contact your provincial employment standards office for assistance.
How to Plan Ahead for this Long Weekend
Stock up on groceries and household essentials by Thursday, April 2, to avoid disappointment on Good Friday.
Purchase any alcohol you need before Thursday evening because the LCBO, Beer Store, and most provincial liquor stores will be closed on Good Friday.
Schedule any banking or government transactions for earlier in the week since these services will be unavailable from Friday through Monday.
Check your local public transit schedule in advance because most transit systems will be running on reduced holiday frequencies.
If you are planning a road trip for the long weekend, expect heavier traffic on highways especially on Thursday afternoon and Monday afternoon.
Confirm operating hours for any attractions, restaurants, or stores you plan to visit over the weekend.
Make sure any urgent prescriptions are filled before the holiday weekend as pharmacy hours may be limited.
Set up any automated bill payments before the holiday to avoid late fees caused by processing delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Good Friday a statutory holiday in all Canadian provinces?
Good Friday is a federal statutory holiday recognized across Canada and every province and territory observes it except Quebec, where employers have the option of giving workers either Good Friday or Easter Monday off instead of both days.
Are grocery stores open on Good Friday 2026 in Canada?
Most major grocery chains, including Walmart, Costco, Loblaws, and Metro, will be closed in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces on Good Friday, while select locations of Farm Boy, No Frills, and Whole Foods may operate with reduced hours and grocery stores in British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba are generally allowed to open.
Will banks process transactions on Good Friday and Easter Monday?
All major Canadian banks will be closed on both Good Friday April 3 and Easter Monday April 6 meaning wire transfers and in-branch transactions will not be processed until Tuesday April 7, although ATMs, online banking, and mobile banking services will remain available throughout the weekend.
Does Canada Post deliver mail on Good Friday or Easter Monday?
Canada Post will not collect or deliver any mail or parcels on Good Friday or Easter Monday and all corporate post offices will be closed, although privately operated postal outlets inside retail stores like Shoppers Drug Mart may be open with modified hours.
Are tourist attractions open on Good Friday in Canada?
Most major tourist attractions across Canada will remain open on Good Friday, including the CN Tower, Toronto Zoo, Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium, Vancouver Art Gallery, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Science World, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, all operating with regular or slightly modified hours.
Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against official government sources, provincial employment standards, and confirmed retail announcements as of April 1, 2026.
Disclaimer: Hours and closures may vary by individual location; always confirm directly with your local store or service provider before visiting.
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