Canada Post strike disrupts services in Waterloo Region

Canada Post picketers were out in Waterloo Region today after news that door-to-door delivery will likely be on the way out. Jeff Pickel reports.

Dozens of Canada Post workers picketed outside the St. Leger Road facility in Kitchener on Friday, joining thousands of postal employees across the country who walked off the job a day earlier.

The strike is expected to cause delays in mail delivery to and from the Region of Waterloo, prompting service changes across several regional programs.

A key issue is the move to community mailboxes and what that will mean for mail carriers.

“So, if they are going to switch over to the community mailboxes, they have to find jobs for these workers. Otherwise, it’s going to impact the economy,” said Waterloo Region resident, Jadeep.

But the prospect of a switch to community mailboxes isn’t a problem for everyone in the region.

“Depending on how close it is to where I live and all that, not a really big deal,” said resident, Amy, who gets door-to-door delivery. “Previously where I lived, we had a community mailbox and it was literally like across the street.”

“Would prefer mail [and] community mailboxes because then [postal workers] have to put it on the door. Maybe you’re on vacation and you’re not there,” said Jadeep.

Amy said the strikes have been hard on her professional life.

“I work in retail; I’m a district manager for a Canadian retail company, and it definitely affects us,” she explained. “I was in one of my stores and [people] were trying to pivot and reroute and were looking at what’s going to happen.”

Resident, Hope, also gets door-to-door delivery and believes a community mailbox might improve her customer experience.

“They’ve got to figure out a better way to do it,” she said. “So, if it means that we have to go to community mailboxes and we actually get to mail, then it be worth it.”

The region said in a notice that updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Dental services

Dental claim payments and requisitions will be delayed, as vendor cheques will not be mailed out. Vendors are being notified and offered the option to switch to electronic fund transfers. Copies of payment requisitions can be requested by phone or email.

Urgent parent notification letters from school dental screenings will be sent through Crown Courier, coordinated by the department.

Housing services

Landlords who normally receive information by mail will be contacted by a Tenant Service Coordinator to arrange an alternative delivery method.

Waterloo Region Housing tenants and rent supplement recipients, including those in the Building Better Futures program, will receive updates either by email or paper copy delivered to their residence, depending on whether an email address is on file.

Tenants can pay rent or arrears online, through pre-authorized payments, or in person at Welcome Spaces. Documents, including Annual Review packages, can be dropped off at Welcome Spaces or submitted by email to [e-mail].

Documents for the Building Better Futures program can be submitted by email, through a partner agency, or at the Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region.

Community housing

Requests for review under the Community Housing Review System can be submitted by email, fax, or in person at Welcome Spaces.

Applications for the Affordable Housing Waitlist can be completed online through the Community Housing Applicant Portal, which allows users to submit documents, track their application and receive communications by email. A valid email address is required, though paper applications remain available at Welcome Spaces.

The region is encouraging residents to use online or in-person services whenever possible until mail delivery resumes.