National Day for Truth and Reconciliation takes place on Tuesday across Canada, including Prince Edward Island. The day invites reflection on the history of residential schools and their lasting impact on Indigenous communities. It has been a statutory holiday on P.E.I. since 2022. Because hours vary, Islanders should call ahead before visiting businesses or services.
Provincial government offices will close, including Access P.E.I. locations and public libraries. Canada Post will suspend delivery and pickup, and post offices will not open. T3 Transit city and rural routes will run on regular schedules. Island Waste Management Corporation will skip curbside garbage collection on Tuesday, shifting it to Saturday, Oct. 4. Waste Watch drop-off centers will stay closed. P.E.I. liquor and cannabis stores will also close for the day.
Most grocery stores will remain open. Sobeys, Co-op, Foodland, Walmart, Atlantic Superstores, and Kensington Food Basket will all keep regular hours. Panda Mart in Charlottetown will open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. In contrast, malls will close. Royalty Crossing, Confederation Court Mall, and County Fair Mall in Summerside will not open, though the Lawtons Drugs inside County Fair Mall will serve customers from noon to 5 p.m.
Pharmacy hours will differ. Murphy’s Pharmacy locations will operate as usual. Lawtons Drugs will follow Sunday hours: Sherwood will open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friendly’s in the Charlottetown Polyclinic from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the County Fair Mall branch from noon to 5 p.m. Shoppers Drug Mart stores across the Island will maintain regular weekday hours.
Islanders should plan ahead to avoid inconvenience. Essential grocery and pharmacy services will stay accessible, but government services and malls will close. The observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation offers a moment of remembrance while reshaping daily routines across P.E.I.
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