City of Ottawa robocalling residents about water bills in event of Canada Post disruption

Ottawa City Hall (CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa says it has been reaching out to residents asking them to register for paperless billing to avoid late payments for services in case of Canada Post service disruptions.

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa Friday, the city said it has been “proactively” contacting residents through automated phone messaging and other communication methods.

“With the possibility of a Canada Post service disruption, residents and businesses could experience a delay in city paper billing, invoices and other paper notifications,” said Joseph Muhuni, the city’s deputy treasurer of revenue.

“Despite any postal service interruptions, water utility bills will continue to be issued, and payment due dates will remain unchanged.”

More than 75 per cent of properties are registered online and have access to their bills through the MyService Ottawa portal, he says.

All residents have received the 2025 final property tax bills, which were sent by mail on May 12, Muhuni says.

The city says more than 95 per cent of tax and water payments are made electronically.

To register for paperless billing, visit your MyService Ottawa account, or call Revenue Services at 613-580-2444 for assistance account balances and payment options.

Access to city services, programs

During a postal service disruption, mail delivery of Presto Cards will be unavailable, the city says on its website.

Transit riders are asked to buy their cards at ticket machines, the Rideau Centre Customer Service Centre and participating Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore locations, reads the website.

The most up-to-date information about the city’s Employment and Social services can be accessed in this link: ottawa.ca/OntarioWorks.

Residents who use the city’s Rent Supplement and Housing Allowance programs can access the newest information on ottawa.ca - Subsidized housing.

More information about postal disruptions is available here: ottawa.ca.

Though a big disruption was averted after the union representing over 55,000 workers backed down from a strike threat Friday, Canada Post customers may face delays as workers swear off overtime shifts.

With files from The Canadian Press