Canada Post employees are on strike, and there are several City of Edmonton services that could be impacted.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says over 55,000 employees began a nationwide strike on Friday at 12:01 am ET, after failed negotiations between the postal workers and the Crown corporation.
The City of Edmonton says some services could be impacted by a Canada Post strike; however, many services are available online, and other alternatives are detailed below.
Paying City bills
Edmontonians who pay the City for facility rentals, uninsured damages to City property, rent and leases, and more can continue paying online, through their bank, by phone or in person at the Edmonton Service Centre, as applicable. Please avoid paying by mail, as cheques may not be received in time.
Buying ETS transit fare
Riders are encouraged to visit participating sales outlets or Arc vending machines to purchase their fare product, and riders can load their Arc card online at myarc.ca. They can also visit the Edmonton Service Centre. Cash fare is also accepted on transit buses and select Arc vending machines.
Paying traffic and bylaw offence tickets
For City of Edmonton bylaw tickets (e.g. parking tickets), pay online or in person at the Edmonton Service Centre.
For provincial violation tickets, pay online at Alberta Fine Payments.
The City of Edmonton will not issue automated enforcement tickets during a Canada Post strike. All tickets for infractions during the strike will be issued once mail service resumes. Payment deadlines and court dates will be adjusted based on the date the ticket is issued and not the date the infraction occurred.
Development permits and notifications
During a Canada Post strike, notifications for permitted developments and discretionary developments (those requiring notification of property owners in the neighbourhood) will not be sent in the mail. The list of applications requiring notifications will be posted online to Public Notices on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Applying for reduced-cost access to recreation facilities and attractions
Edmontonians applying for the Leisure Access Program, which provides access to recreation facilities and attractions at a lower cost, are encouraged to drop off their application at any City-run recreation centre or attraction.
Neighbourhood Renewal updates
Neighbourhood Renewal updates will continue to be shared on project web pages. Alternate notification methods, such as neighbourhood signage, will also be used as appropriate.
Residential Parking Program permits
Lost or damaged Residential Parking Program permits can be requested online but will not be mailed out. Applicants can request that permits be available for pick-up at the Edmonton Service Centre and will be notified when permits are available.
Submitting a claim against the City
You can submit a claim against the City online or through 311. Claim payments may be delayed due to a postal strike.
Serving the City with legal documents
If you need to serve the City with a legal document, contact Legal Services at legalservicesreception@
Business licences
During a Canada Post strike, approved business licences and renewal letters will not be sent by mail. You can request to have copies of an approved business licence emailed or made available for pick up at the Edmonton Service Centre.
Edmonton Service Centre
The Edmonton Service Centre, located on the second floor of Edmonton Tower (10111 104th Avenue), is open weekdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Book an in-person appointment online to pay for select City services and ETS fares.
The Canada Post strike means mail and parcels across the country will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike, and some post offices will be closed.
Additionally, service guarantees will be impacted for items already in the postal network and no new items will be accepted until the strike is over.
Once operations resume, the postal service says all mail and parcels in the postal network will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible on a first-in, first-out basis.
With files from Isabelle Docto