The Easter long weekend means four days off for many and time to celebrate the end of winter, even if it often rains. Here is what will be open and closed:
Alcohol & Cannabis
SAQ branches will remain open on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, all SAQ Express and several SAQ branches will be open. Most SAQ Sélection stores will be closed and all SAQ Dépôt branches will be closed. On Monday, a majority of branches will be open outside of those in a closed mall with no outside access.
SQDC branches will be open on Friday and Saturday but closed on Easter Sunday.
Shopping
Shopping malls will be closed on Sunday, as well as major grocery chains. Convenience stores will remain open.
Transportation
Montreal buses will run on a holiday schedule on Friday and Monday. The STM suggests checking the exact times of your route before you travel.
On Friday, some Exo trains like the one to Vaudreuil-Hudson will run on a Sunday schedule, while the Saint-Jérôme line will run on a weekend schedule. The lines to Saint-Hilaire, Mascouche and Candiac will not be served. Trains will resume a normal schedule on Monday.
Most Exo buses will run Saturday to Friday with reduced hours on Monday.
The Longueuil and Laval bus networks will operate according to the Saturday schedule, both Friday and Monday.
Entertainment
The new Insectarium, Botanical Garden, Planetarium and Biosphere will be open all weekend. Ticket purchases must be made in advance.
Hours of operation for sports and community centers vary by location. Check with your specific center for hours of operation.
Municipal services
Garbage, recycling and compost collection will follow the regular schedule throughout the long weekend.
The ecocentres will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
The offices of the SAAQ are closed, as is the Palais de Justice in Montreal. Most service counters are closed, but municipal services are still available online. Any request by e-mail will not receive a response until Tuesday at the earliest.
Freestanding Canada Post branches will be closed on Friday and Monday. Depots inside other businesses might follow that business’s hours of operation, but it’s worth calling ahead to find out.
