Canada Post strikes could delay a number of upcoming benefit payments

Service Canada has warned Canadians that some government benefits could face delays due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, though they've assured everyone that payments will eventually be processed.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, November 20, the agency confirmed that cheques for Old Age Security (OAS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Canada Child Benefit (CCB), and the Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime might arrive later than expected due to the postal service disruptions.

Originally, most of these payments were scheduled to go out between November 20 and 27. However, as of Wednesday it was still unclear how long the delays might last.

Even with the possible hold-ups, Service Canada emphasized that recipients will eventually get their payments. They added that cheques for other payments would be held securely until the situation is resolved.

The agency also encouraged people to set up direct deposit as the most reliable way to avoid future interruptions.

The postal strike began on November 15, with workers protesting over wages, working conditions, and other unresolved issues.

This disruption is expected to impact not only government benefit cheques but also services like passport delivery. Negotiations were still in progress as of Wednesday afternoon.

For more information about November’s benefit payment schedule in Quebec, click here.

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