Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that municipal programs and services will operate on a reduced service level on the provincial statutory holiday Nova Scotia Heritage Day, Monday, Feb. 20. This year Nova Scotia Heritage Day is honouring the Mi’kmaq culture and the many accomplishments of the Mi’kmaq people, as part of the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. The municipality recognizes that many residents will still rely on our services on the holiday such as transit and 311, and therefore our operations are designed to minimize service disruptions for residents. Please note that all essential services will be maintained. Solid Waste Collection and Facility Hours: No municipal solid waste collection services will take place on Heritage Day, Monday, Feb. 20. Curbside collection of garbage, organics or recyclables normally scheduled for Monday, Feb. 20, will occur instead on the preceding Saturday, Feb. 18. Residents are reminded that collection services can begin as early as 7 a.m. Please note that materials should be placed curbside in a manner that does not interfere with ongoing snow clearing operations.  The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility, the Halifax recycling facility and municipal composting facilities will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, but will be open for extended hours on Saturday, Feb. 18. The Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake will be closed on Saturday, Feb. 18, and will re-open for regular operating hours on Saturday, Feb. 25. Halifax Transit Bus and Ferry Services: Halifax Transit buses and ferries will be operating on holiday service on Heritage Day, Monday, Feb. 20. For detailed holiday schedules by individual route, visit www.halifax.ca/transit/Schedules/index.php. Recreation Facilities, Programs and Services: The majority of municipally-operated recreation facilities will be closed on Heritage Day, Monday, Feb. 20. Residents are advised to call ahead to their respective facility for operating hours and program information. Contact information for municipally operated facilities is online at www.halifax.ca/rec/reccentres.php. Gather together with family and friends at the Emera Oval, which will be open for regular operations on Monday, Feb. 20 with free public skates held throughout the day. To view the complete schedule, visit www.halifax.ca/skatehrm. Parking: On-street parking meter spaces are free on Nova Scotia Heritage Day, Monday, Feb. 20.; however motorists are reminded to abide by other posted signage. 311 Citizen Contact Centres: The 311 Call Centre will be operating on regular hours, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., on Nova Scotia Heritage Day, Monday, Feb. 20. The five Customer Service Centres that provide in-person access to municipal services and payments will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, and re-open for regular business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Visit http://heritageday.novascotia.ca to learn more about Nova Scotia Heritage Day. Source: Release