Saskatchewan preparing for possible second Canada Post work stoppage in under 6 months

Canada Post mailbox. (DALE HUNTER/CTV REGINA)

With a possible Canada Post work stoppage on the horizon, the province says it is taking multiple steps to ensure disruptions can be limited as much as possible.

The province says ministries, Crowns and agencies all have contingency plans and are encouraging clients, suppliers and businesses to switch payment methods to direct deposit.

Following a 2024 strike, Canada Post may be heading to the picket lines again in May because current deals between the Crown and unions representing employees are set to expire on May 22.

On Wednesday Canada Post said it was pausing negotiations after what it said were “fruitless” discussions with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

A strike or lockout would mark the second time in less than six months the postal service ground to a halt after 55,000 employees walked off the job for 32 days in November and December.

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SaskPower, SaskEnergy, SaskTel and SGI are encouraging residents to sign up for online billing and notifications to ensure information regarding utility bills, drivers’ licence and vehicle registration renewals and other business is received.

A possible work stoppage would also disrupt applications for health cards and certificates for births, deaths and marriage. According to the province, residents should visit ehealth.ca to learn about options available to minimize delays that includes ordering online.

Social Services payments are received by most recipients through direct deposit, but the province says it is using experience from the 2024 Canada Post work stoppage to put a contingency plan in place for those who receive benefit cheques by mail. It is again encouraging recipients to switch to online direct deposit.

“Residents requiring letters to submit to their private insurance providers for Special Support, Seniors’ Drug Plan, or Exception Drug Status may submit the request through the online Saskatchewan Formulary. Letters will be mailed once the Canada Post service disruption is resolved,” the province said in a news release.

Businesses are still expected to file and pay taxes to the Ministry of Finance on time. “Mail delays do not change tax deadlines or the assessment of penalties and interest. For more information, please review the Information Notice - IN 2025-03, Filing and Paying Provincial Taxes in the Event of a Postal Disruption,” the province said.

The province says the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) will be working with customers to find alternate options to access information that is typically delivered through Canada Post. Some options include faxing, emailing or delivering information to a local SCIC office, according to the province. “Producers are encouraged to sign-up for direct deposit for receiving program payments.”

More information can be found on the province’s website.

-With files from The Canadian Press