Thousands of social assistance cheques haven't been given out during Canada Post strike: B.C. ombudsperson

UPDATE: Dec. 11, 2024: According to a statement from B.C.'s Ministry of Social Development, 98 per cent of the ministry's overall assistance payments had been distributed by Nov. 30. The ministry added that while 40 per cent of mailed cheques remained in office as of Nov. 22, that number was reduced to 10 per cent — or two per cent of all payments — by month's end.

Thousands of social assistance cheques have not been distributed in British Columbia because of the Canada Post strike, prompting an investigation by provincial Ombudsperson Jay Chalke. 

Chalke's office began investigating when he was told by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction that many income and disability assistance cheques weren't delivered. 

Chalke says in a statement that he's concerned that many of B.C.'s most vulnerable people will be left without funds for food and shelter, especially during the upcoming holiday season. 

He says that despite the ministry's efforts to encourage direct deposit, thousands of hard-copy cheques are mailed every month, and the ministry says 40 per cent of those payments weren't sent last month. 

WATCH | Much-needed cheques not being sent out during mail strike: 

Postal strike stalls delivery of passports, government cheques

22 days ago

Duration 2:01

Tens of thousands of passports are being held by Service Canada because of the postal strike. Provincial income assistance cheques are also not being delivered. There are workarounds for some of these challenges, but as Michelle Ghoussoub reports, not everyone can take advantage of them.

The potential for a Canada Post strike was widely reported before it happened, and Chalke says the ministry needed to have a plan for distributing the cheques without mail service.

Chalke says his investigation will assess the adequacy of that plan.

The statement says the investigation will also look into the ministry's contingency planning before the strike was announced, as well as steps taken during the strike to distribute hard copy cheques to the 15 per cent of income and disability assistance recipients who don't get direct deposit.

"The next social assistance payment date is Dec. 18. The end of December is when many ministry employees intend to be on vacation, which could present operational challenges," Chalke says.

"I am calling on the government to demonstrate it has a plan in place to achieve better and faster results for December's cheques in the event the strike continues."

Talks between union, employer stalled

There are currently no new developments in the impasse between Canada Post employees and its workers, who began talks toward a new contract on Nov. 15, 2023.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says it is seeking fair wages as the cost of living has gone up, with high rent and inflation leaving employees "unable to survive."

WATCH | Canada Post workers on why they are striking: 

Why are Canada Post workers on strike?

23 days ago

Duration 1:35

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is on strike. Here’s what they’re asking for, in their own words.

Before and during the strike, Canada Post workers have been struggling with the cost of living, the union says.

Among its key demands are wage increases, a guaranteed pension and safer working conditions, with the union citing the "second highest rate of disability injury among workers under federal jurisdiction."

Canada Post, meanwhile, says it has lost $3 billion since 2018. The company says the union's demands will lead to more fixed costs that Canada Post can't afford.