Contingency plans in place for Canada Post work stoppage

Release

Service New Brunswick, Department of Finance and Treasury Board, Department of Justice and Public Safety, New Brunswick Public Library Service, Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Department of Social Development, Housing New Brunswick, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries

September 26, 2025

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government has implemented plans to minimize the impact of the work stoppage by Canada Post.

“We have proactively developed contingency plans to minimize disruption for New Brunswickers,” said Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy, who is also minister responsible for Service New Brunswick. “We encourage the public to consider using alternative means of communication.”

Service New Brunswick

·         It is strongly recommended all vendors and suppliers who deal with the provincial government sign up for direct deposit to receive their payments.

·         For more information, vendors and suppliers may call 1-888-487-5050 or email [email protected].

Some online services that require the mailing of documents or products will not be available during the strike. Customers will need to visit their local service centre to access these services. Notifications will be posted on the appropriate websites.

Department of Finance and Treasury Board

The Department of Finance and Treasury Board has plans in place to ensure those who rely on government payments continue to receive them. All returns and remittances that are required to be made to the provincial government will continue to be due as per their normal schedule. Monthly remittances of fuel and tobacco taxes by collectors must be remitted by the 25th day of the month following the reporting period. All International Fuel Tax Agreement returns for the second quarter are due Oct. 31.

During the Canada Post work stoppage, remittances may be forwarded by courier to the Department of Finance and Treasury Board or submitted at one of Service New Brunswick’s locations throughout the province. People may also fax their returns and make payments through electronic funds transfer options.

Late returns and remittances will be subject to penalty and interest.

For more information, the Finance and Treasury Board revenue and tax administration divisions can be reached by phone at 1-800-669-7070 and by email at [email protected].

Department of Justice and Public Safety: motor vehicle services

Mailed reminders for driver’s licence and vehicle registration renewals will be temporarily placed on hold. Drivers are encouraged to sign up for email registration reminders by opting out of receiving paper reminders in the mail.

The motor vehicle system, with respect to vehicle registrations and driver’s licences, will be up to date for validation by police regardless of the work stoppage.

Online driver’s licence renewal is not available and there will be delays in delivering driver’s licences renewed during the strike.

Registrations renewed online will be mailed after the strike has ended.

Drivers are encouraged to:

·         check the expiry date on their registration and driver’s licence

·         renew their registration online or at a Service New Brunswick centre

For out-of-province travel, renewal confirmations may not be accepted as proof of registration. Vehicle owners should visit a Service New Brunswick centre to receive registration and updated stickers.

The following items will be sent by courier and people should expect delays:

·         Information related to inspection stations, suspension notifications and documents to police.

·         Information related to medically at-risk drivers and temporary permits for dealers.

Point assessment letters for drivers will be placed on hold.

Department of Justice and Public Safety: Office of Support Enforcement

Cheques will not be sent through Canada Post during the work stoppage. Clients of the Office of Support Enforcement who currently receive payments by cheque are urged to sign up for direct deposit.

Those who cannot arrange for direct deposit may request to pick up their cheques at one of the eight judicial district offices of the Court of King’s Bench. Clients should speak directly to their enforcement officer for more information. Clients may verify a payment has been made by visiting the program’s website or calling 1-844-673-4499. Registration is necessary for first-time users.

Clients who normally make family support payments by mail are encouraged to use online or telephone banking or make payments in person at their local Service New Brunswick centre.

Employers are encouraged to contact the central payment unit to make arrangements for electronic transfers or online banking. Employers should contact the unit if those methods are not available so other options can be discussed.

More information is available by calling the Office of Support Enforcement at 1-844-673-4499.

New Brunswick Public Library Service

Due to the Canada Post work stoppage, the following services will be suspended:

·         holds on library materials, including "Mail to Me" holds

·         Talking Books Service by Mail

·         Interlibrary Loan Service

·         online library card registration

Borrowed library materials will be automatically renewed.

Student aid recipients

Notices and correspondence from Student Financial Services can be accessed online by registering or signing in to the NB Student Aid Portal. Clients can also call the toll-free number, at 1-800-667-5626, for assistance.

Department of Social Development

The Department of Social Development has arranged in-person pickup options for October’s social assistance cheques. Monthly payments sent by direct deposit will be issued as usual. Clients without direct deposit may pick up their payments at local offices; they may also make arrangements for pickup or direct deposit through their local office or their case worker.

Southeast region

Pickup will be possible Wednesday, Oct. 1, and Thursday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

·         Moncton – Social Development office, 774 Main St., 1st floor reception

·         Beaurivage (Richibucto district) – Social Development office, 25 Cartier Blvd., Unit 149

·         Shediac – Social Development office, 342 Main St.

·         Tantramar (Sackville district) – Social Development office, 170 Main St., Unit C-1

Southwest region

Pickup will be possible Wednesday, Oct. 1, and Thursday, Oct. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the following locations:

·         Saint John – 1 Agar Place

·         Sussex – Social Development office, 707 Main St.

·         St. Stephen – Social Development office, 41 King St.

Central region

Pickup will be possible Wednesday, Oct. 1, and Thursday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

·         Fredericton – 460 Two Nations Crossing (no change for those who pick up their cheques at Ironwood Resource Centre)

·         Woodstock – Social Development office, 200 King St.

·         Southern Victoria (Perth-Andover district) – Social Development office, 19 Station St.

·         Miramichi – Social Development office, 152 Pleasant St.

·         Neguac – Social Development office, 1175 Principale St.

Northern region

Pickup will be possible Wednesday, Oct. 1, and Thursday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

·         Tracadie – Social Development office, 3514 Principale St., 2nd floor

·         Caraquet – Social Development office, 20-E St-Pierre Blvd. W.

·         Shippagan – Social Development office, 182 J.D. Gauthier Blvd.

·         Bathurst – Social Development office, 275 Main St., 1st floor

·         Belledune – Royal Canadian Legion, 3843 Main St. (pickup on Wednesday only)

·         Campbellton – Social Development office, 157 Water St., Suite 100

·         Kedgwick – Social Development office, 39A Notre-Dame St. (pickup on Wednesday only)

·         Edmundston – Social Development office, 121 Church St., 4th floor

·         Grand Falls – Social Development office, 131 Pleasant St., 2nd floor

The Department of Social Development is exploring alternative delivery methods to avoid disruptions in future monthly payments.

New Brunswick Housing Corporation

Cheques and critical notices, from both Housing New Brunswick and the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office, will be delivered to clients despite the service interruption at Canada Post. However, some routine notifications may be delayed. For that reason, anyone applying for assistance from the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office should ensure their most up-to-date contact information is included in their applications. 

It is also suggested that tenants submit their security deposit refund requests as soon as possible after they end their tenancy, so staff can ensure they have current contact information. These requests may be submitted online.

Notices of arrears or other issues sent to Housing New Brunswick tenants and loans clients will be held until Nov. 1. If mail service has not resumed by then, additional measures will be used to distribute those notices.

Department of Natural Resources 

The Department of Natural Resources will correspond with clients and partners via email and phone.

For more information, the department can be reached by telephone at 506-453-3826 or by email at [email protected].

Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries

The Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries will correspond with clients and partners via email and phone.

For more information, the department can be reached by telephone at 506-453-3826 or by email at  [email protected].