What to know as the Canada Post strike affects local services

Canada Post workers hit the picket lines in Barrie.

A national strike by Canada Post workers is now underway, disrupting mail delivery, including in Simcoe County and Muskoka. For local residents, the strike means delays in receiving and sending bills, payments, and other important documents.

Municipalities across the region remind residents payments and deadlines are still in effect despite the labour disruption.

City of Barrie

Residents are responsible for paying property tax, water, wastewater bills, and fines on time, the city states.

Alternative options include:

• Online banking or third-party online payment providers
• In-person payments at banks, Service Barrie at City Hall or by dropping off a cheque in the secure drop box at City Hall - 70 Collier Street
• Pre-authorized payment plans for property taxes

The City encourages residents to sign up for e-billing for water accounts. Court Services payments and trial requests should be made online, by phone or in person, the City added.

Town of Innisfil

The Town says property taxes can be paid online, through telephone banking, or in person at Town Hall. An after-hours drop box is also available.

Parking tickets and speed camera infractions can be paid online or in person, the Town stated. Other services - such as burn permits, marriage ceremonies, and dog tag renewals - are still available through the Town’s eServices portal.

District of Muskoka

The District says the strike affects clients of Ontario Works and those making water and sewer payments. Cheques will not be mailed during the disruption, but clients can pick them up at Community Service Hubs in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge or Huntsville.

Water and sewer bills can be paid through pre-authorized debit, online banking, at financial institutions, or in person at District offices. Provinical offences tickets can still be paid online at paytickets.ca or in person at court offices.

Bottom Line

Even with mail delivery disrupted, municipalities stress that bills, taxes, and fines are still due by their deadlines. Residents are urged to use online services, pre-authorized payments or in-person options to avoid late fees or penalties.

Postal workers have hit the picket lines in response to the federal government’s decision to end all door-to-door mail delivery within the next decade, a move that the union says will mean widespread job losses.