Social services and those who depend on them impacted by mail strike
Food bank, assistance cheques could be disrupted
As tens of thousands of Canada Post postal workers are on strike over wages, working conditions and other issues, mail delivery has ground to a halt.
CBC spoke to people in northwestern Ontario and nationwide who say they're worried about the strike's impact on social services and those dependent on them.
The disruption of mailed Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) cheques will be hard for many people with disabilities, said Priscilla Wall, a 35-year-old mother living in Dryden.
The province's website said it isn't able to mail ODSP cheques out or receive any documents sent by mail during the strike.
"I don't get that much money, but that (ODSP) money I do rely on to help feed my family and plan meals for my daughter and my husband and pay my bills and have a roof over my head and all that other stuff," said Wall, who lives with a disability called Fragile X syndrome.
Recipients can still receive payment through direct deposit and see their case information online. But Wall said it can be challenging for people with disabilities impacting their cognition to navigate these changes.
Seeing a physical mailed statement every month helps people on ODSP plan for expenses in advance and better manage their limited incomes, she said. Not everyone has access to a computer or the ability to use one, said Wall.
"I do understand that they need more wages and all that stuff. They work really hard and they go out of their way to deliver our mail and put up with probably rude people along the way….but it's also a hassle for the people who rely on them to deliver our mail," said Wall.
Wall said she hopes the strike resolves before Christmas so she can still send and receive holiday cards and gifts between family and friends far away.
Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 620 president Leo Favreau said he also hopes the strike resolves quickly.
"Timing wise, it's not the best time for the public for us to go on strike. But if we wanna make a point, we have to make it when, when it's the best time for us," he said.
Favreau said the main things they want to see included in a deal include raising salaries to a living wage.
"We have a lot of health and safety concerns that haven't been addressed….just basic benefits and things like that," he said.
Local food bank worries strike may impact donations
Volker Kromm, the executive director of the Thunder Bay Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA), said the RFDA supports the postal workers' fight for a living wage, but the mail stoppage is impacting donations by mail.
Kromm said Thunder Bay food bank still receives about 60 to 65 per cent of all its financial donations by mail. The weeks leading up to the holiday season are also typically when the RFDA receives the most donations.
"These are the donations that keep us afloat until the next year. And so without that revenue stream coming in, we are a little bit afraid of what might come," he said.
While more donors have shifted to donating online, in person or by phone, Kromm said he is concerned that losing the convenience of mailing a cheque might mean the RFDA has to stretch its limited resources even further during a time of rising demand for assistance.
"We're dependent on both parties coming to the table and resolving this quickly so that we can get on with the the business of helping those people living either in poverty or living on the edge," he said.
How will I be impacted by the Canada Post strike?
Cheques and mail related to the Canada child benefit (CCB), Canadian Dental Care Plan, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security will still be delivered even during a full postal disruption, said the government of Canada website, but there may be some delays.
Services that could be impacted include:
The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB):
- Tenants are being directed to sign up for Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) to pay rent directly from their bank accounts instead of using mail services.
- Landlords can pick up rent cheques at the TBDSSAB Main Office, 231 May Street South, on Friday November 29, 2024 from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Those outside the city should contact their local satellite office.
- Cheques for November are only available for pick up at the TBDSSAB main office.
- Those outside the city should contact their local satellite office.
- Direct deposits will not be affected.
- Delivery of physical cheques by mail may be impacted
- Clients who receive their EI cheques by mail are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit, if possible.
- Once signed up, clients will generally receive their payment in two to three days.
- For the remaining clients, if they contact Service Canada to indicate they are in dire need, arrangements will be made to have their cheque delivered to their homes or to a Service Canada Centre through alternative means.
Non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit (NIHB):
- Payments by cheque may be delayed.
- Direct deposits will not be affected.
Northern Health Travel Grants (NHTG):
- Applications for the NHTG are accepted by mail only.
- Applications for the NHTG can either be sent via courier or dropped off at the Sudbury claims services branch office, or any ServiceOntario North Service Centres Branch public office. ServiceOntario Private Issuers offices are not included.
- "If applicant is unable to attend any of the available locations, they should call 1-800-262-6524 to request alternate arrangements," said the Ministry of Health website.
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