News Release Archive
COMMUNICATIONS NS--Government Services During Postal Strike
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The government of Nova Scotia has put plans in place to continue
serving Nova Scotians during the disruption of Canada Post mail
delivery. They are listed below.
For general inquiries, the public can call 1-800-670-4357.
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE CHEQUES (Community Services)
Under an agreement between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of
Postal Workers, certain government cheques will be delivered to
homes as usual on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
In addition to federal cheques such as Canada Pension Plan and
Old Age Security benefits, Canada Post workers will also deliver
the following provincial cheques:
-30,000 for family benefits
-10,000 for income assistance
-1,400 for seniors who receive rebates for property taxes and
rental assistance, and special social assistance
The arrangement does not cover about 100 cheques delivered for
specials reasons to social assistance recipients daily,
throughout the month. Those cheques will continue to be sent by
courier to regional and district offices; from there, they will
be either picked up by or delivered to clients.
The Department of Community Services has set up a toll-free
number for clients to call for information, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday to Friday. The number is 1-800-296-9037.
PROVINCIAL PENSION CHEQUES (Finance)
The Government of Nova Scotia Pension cheques --for retired
teachers and civil servants --will be handled under the same
Canada Post-CUPW arrangement outlined above for social assistance
cheques.
PAYMENT TO VENDORS (Finance)
Businesses that supply goods and services to the province will
receive payments by special arrangement with the department or
agency to which they're selling. Vendors seeking payment should
contact that department or agency to find out if their invoices
have been processed and make arrangements to receive their
cheque.
MAINTENANCE ENFORCEMENT PAYMENTS (Justice)
Individuals enrolled in the Maintenance Enforcement Program must
continue to make support payments. There are two options:
-payment directly to the recipient; a receipt should be obtained.
Those receiving a direct payment should report it by calling the
InfoLine at 1-800-357-9248, or 902-424-0050 within the Halifax
area.
-payment by cheque or money order at one of eight Maintenance
Enforcement Program offices; individuals can call the InfoLine
number above for the addresses.
Recipients should phone the InfoLine first to verify a payment
has been processed. Once verified, he or she can then call one
of the following numbers to determine where the payment is to be
picked up. Two pieces of identification are required.
Amherst 902-667-6260
Antigonish 902-863-5473
Dartmouth 902-424-8032
Kentville 902-679-6728
New Glasgow 902-755-7224
Sydney 902-563-2218
Truro 902-893-5899
Yarmouth 902-742-0604
BUSINESS AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Customers requiring the following services may deposit
correspondence, documents, application forms and other forms in
the drop boxes at Registry of Motor Vehicles offices across Nova
Scotia, or at Access Nova Scotia centres in Halifax, Dartmouth or
Kentville.
-Consumer and Commercial Relations Business Licensing
-Consumer and Commercial Relations Business Practices
-Consumer and Commercial Relations Orderly Payment of Debt
-Vital Statistics (birth certificates, etc.)
-Residential Tenancies
-Registry of Motor Vehicles
HEALTH, TOBACCO AND FUEL TAXES (Business and Consumer Services)
Health, tobacco and fuel taxes must continue to be paid; they can
be paid at all chartered banks.
REGISTRY OF JOINT STOCK COMPANIES (Business and Consumer
Services)
The expiry date for receipt of annual statements and payments
will be extended for a reasonable period during the postal
strike.
REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES (Business and Consumer Services)
Customers who would usually conduct their business by mail are
asked to instead visit any Registry of Motor Vehicles office in
Nova Scotia, or Access Nova Scotia centres in Halifax, Dartmouth
or Kentville. For the nearest office, call 1-800-898-7668.
Vehicle registration can be renewed over the phone by calling
1-800-898-7668; a Visa or MasterCard credit card is required.
HEALTH CARDS
Expired Health Cards will be honoured during the postal strike.
If a new Health Card is required, individuals can call
1-800-563-8880.
REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES (Education and Culture)
Clients of rehabilitation programs and services will receive
their training allowances in the usual fashion. Tutors will be
contacted regarding their cheques.
JOB APPLICATIONS (Human Resources)
Nova Scotians applying for civil service jobs can drop off their
applications at the Department of Human Resources, 1700 Granville
St., Halifax, or at Access Nova Scotia Centres across the
province. Applications can also be faxed to the department at
902-426-0611.
Job applicants can apply through the Department of Human
Resources website at https://novascotia.ca/humr/
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Contact: Cathy Shaw
Community Services
902-424-4326
E-mail: shawcm@gov.ns.ca
Bruce Cameron
Department of Finance
902-424-8787
E-mail: cameronb@gov.ns.ca
Michele McKinnon
Department of Justice
902-424-6811
E-mail: mckinngm@gov.ns.ca
David MacNeil
Business and Consumer Services
902-424-2933
E-mail: macneidf@gov.ns.ca
Lori MacLean
Department of Health
902-424-5025
E-mail: macleall@gov.ns.ca
Donna MacDonald
Education and Culture
902-424-2615
E-mail: macdonc@gov.ns.ca
Norma MacIsaac
Human Resources
902-424-5427
E-mail: macisanj@gov.ns.ca
sab Nov. 20, 1997 5:40 p.m.
