National Postal Strike in Canada: Essential Measures for Ontarians

Ontarians are assured that they will be able to continue to access critical Ontario government services during any disruptions caused by a national postal strike.

A national postal strike in Canada necessitates essential measures for Ontarians to take as follows:

  • No one will be refused emergency health care if their health card expires.
  • Anyone who renews the health card should keep the transaction record as temporary proof that they are covered by provincial health insurance.
  • For drivers with expiring licences, a temporary licence is available through ServiceOntario centres or kiosks.
  • Ontario was successful in securing the early delivery of June payments for the Ontario Sales Tax Transition Benefit (OSTTB) and the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB).
  • Ontarians can also have benefit payments directly deposited into their bank accounts by:
  1. Calling 1 866 668-8297 for the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) and Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families (OCCS);
  2. Calling 1 888 544-5101 for Rental Opportunity for Ontario Families (ROOF) and Short-term Rent Support Program (STRSP);
  3. Calling 1 800 263-7776 (TTY) for GAINS, OCCS, ROOF and STRSP; and
  4. Visiting Canada Revenue Agency’s website www.cra.gc.ca/postalstrike for federally administered benefits or call 1 800 959-8281.
  5. For Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario Works (OW) payments normally delivered by mail, recipients should contact their local office to find out when and where they can pick up their cheque, or call 1-888-789-4199 or 416-325-5666, or TTY 1-800-387-5559 or 416-327-4282.

Please  click here to find out more about how you can access Ontario services during the postal service disruption.

National Postal Strike in Canada: Essential Measures for Ontarians
National Postal Strike in Canada: Essential Measures for Ontarians


Ontario, Canada: Newsroom

News Release

Ontario Prepared For Postal Service Strike

June 3, 2011

McGuinty Government Ensures Ontarians Continue To Receive Critical Services

Ontarians will be able to continue to access critical Ontario government services during any disruptions caused by a national postal strike.

No one will be refused emergency health care if their health card expires. Anyone who renews their health card should keep the transaction record as temporary proof that they are covered by provincial health insurance.

For drivers with expiring licences, a temporary licence is available through ServiceOntario centres or kiosks.

Ontario was successful in securing the early delivery of June payments for the Ontario Sales Tax Transition Benefit (OSTTB) and the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB). Ontarians can also have benefit payments directly deposited into their bank account by:

Calling 1 866 668-8297 for the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) and Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families (OCCS);

Calling 1 888 544-5101 for Rental Opportunity for Ontario Families (ROOF) and Short-term Rent Support Program (STRSP);

Calling 1 800 263-7776 (TTY) for GAINS, OCCS, ROOF and STRSP; and

Visiting Canada Revenue Agency’s website www.cra.gc.ca/postalstrike for federally administered benefits or call 1 800 959-8281.

For Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario Works (OW) payments normally delivered by mail, recipients should contact their local office to find out when and where they can pick up their cheque, or call 1-888-789-4199 or 416-325-5666, or TTY 1-800-387-5559 or 416-327-4282.

QUOTES

“It is unfortunate that Ontarians have to experience a postal service disruption which may cause inconvenience to many of our residents. We want to assure all Ontarians that we are doing everything we can to ensure that critical services continue to be delivered in a timely manner and that the benefit payments many families rely on get delivered.”

– Harinder Takhar
Minister of Government Services

QUICK FACTS

  • The last Canada Post strike was in 1997.
  • ServiceOntario helps four million people a month get the services they need.

LEARN MORE

CONTACTS

  • Geetika Bhardwaj
    Minister’s Office
    416-327-0125

Ministry of Government Services
ontario.ca/government