Thousands of social assistance cheques haven’t been given out during Canada Post strike: B.C. ombudsperson
The ongoing Canada Post strike has caused major disruptions in British Columbia, with thousands of social assistance cheques not being distributed, prompting an investigation by provincial Ombudsperson Jay Chalke.
Chalke’s office launched an investigation after being informed by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction that a significant number of income and disability assistance cheques were not delivered. This has raised concerns about the well-being of some of B.C.’s most vulnerable individuals who rely on these funds for essentials like food and shelter, especially during the upcoming holiday season.
Despite efforts by the ministry to promote direct deposit, a large number of hard-copy cheques are still being mailed out each month. In fact, the ministry reported that 40% of these payments were not sent out last month alone.
Chalke emphasized that the potential for a Canada Post strike was well-known in advance, and the ministry should have had a plan in place to ensure the distribution of cheques in the absence of mail service. His investigation will evaluate the adequacy of this plan, as well as the ministry’s contingency planning before and during the strike to ensure that hard copy cheques reach the 15% of recipients who do not use direct deposit.
With the next social assistance payment date approaching on December 18, Chalke urged the government to demonstrate that they have a viable plan in case the strike persists, especially considering that many ministry employees plan to be on vacation at the end of December.
Meanwhile, talks between the union representing Canada Post workers and the employer have stalled. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is seeking fair wages to cope with the rising cost of living, including high rent and inflation that have made it difficult for employees to make ends meet.
Key demands from the union include wage increases, a guaranteed pension, and improved working conditions to address safety concerns, as they have one of the highest rates of disability injury among federally regulated workers. On the other hand, Canada Post has cited financial losses of $3 billion since 2018 and argues that the union’s demands would further strain their already strained budget.
The situation remains tense as both parties continue to negotiate, leaving many vulnerable individuals in B.C. uncertain about when they will receive their much-needed assistance cheques.
