Postal service disruption

Canada Post employees are on strike. The strike will disrupt mail service across Canada.

A postal service interruption could delay correspondence you’re sending to government (like when you’re applying or registering for a program or service). In some cases, a service interruption could also delay information you’re waiting for from government (like a receiving a permit, licence or payment).

Government correspondence sent by mail will be impacted by this disruption.

During a postal service interruption, government has a plan in place to make sure that people and businesses continue to receive cheques and other important information from the provincial government

Program and service options

To help avoid a delay, use online services when available.

Many programs and services offer several ways to correspond with government and complete a service or transaction. Options may include sending information by email or fax, dropping-off information or visiting a government location in person to complete the service or transaction.

Program and service information on the government website and on government forms and applications lets you know if you can complete the service or transaction online and if there are other options (besides mail) for submitting correspondence.

Registry of Motor Vehicles

During the postal service disruption, the following Registry of Motor Vehicles documents will remain valid for 15 business days after the mail disruption ends:

  • temporary driver’s licences issued or expired during the strike period (issued online or temporary through Access Nova Scotia)
  • online vehicle permit renewal receipts issued or expired during the strike period

Health cards

During the postal service disruption, expired health cards will still be accepted. If you’re applying for a health card, contact the MSI inquiry line at 902-496-7008 or 1-800-563-8880 to start your application (MSI will hold your application and mail the form to you when mail services resume).

Payments

Direct deposit

If you're currently receiving payments or benefits by direct deposit, the deposit won’t be affected during an interruption.

If you'd like your payments to be deposited directly into your bank account, contact the program to setup direct deposit so your payments are not delayed. The program may need you to complete and return a form (how you need to complete the form may vary by program).

Cheques

During an interruption, if cheques are being mailed to you, you may experience a delay in receiving them. If you’re expecting a cheque, contact the department issuing it to make sure that it’s ready and confirm where you should pick it up.

Government will also reach out to clients who still get cheques directly to arrange pickup (for example, Community Services caseworkers will reach out to their clients).

Other payment options

During the postal service disruption, if you need to make sure your payments to government are not delayed, there may be other payment options that you can use (for example, Maintenance Enforcement Program payments provide several options including online banking). Contact the program or department to review your options.

Additional government correspondence locations

Government has designated locations where you can drop off and receive provincial government correspondence (mail).

Drop off locations

Starting 20 November 2024, Access Nova Scotia locations throughout the province will begin accepting provincial government correspondence that can’t be sent electronically.

Pick up locations

Starting 30 November 2024, Access Nova Scotia locations will also be available for Nova Scotians to pick up high-priority items (government will be in touch with clients to make sure pick-up items are going to the right location).

If you’re picking up correspondence at an Access Nova Scotia location, you’ll need to show a valid government ID mail. Pick up at will be available on Saturdays from 9 am to 1:00 pm.

When picking up correspondence, you should wait 2 Saturdays from the time government sends your item to Access Nova Scotia.

More information about the postal service disruption

If you have a direct contact with a program or department, you should continue to reach out to them with any questions.

News releases

Latest news releases and announcements:

Postal service disruption news releases