Canada Post workers are currently on strike

As of Friday, November 15, Canada Post will be on strike. This will impact mail delivery to and from the Region of Waterloo. Please read for more information on how this will affect Regional programs and services. 

Ontario Works Clients: 

Throughout the strike, client cheques and Reloadable Payment Cards will not be distributed in the mail. Caseworkers will work directly with clients on instructions for pick-up locations and times. Clients who usually receive cheques in the mail will need to pick-up cheques or register for direct deposit or Reloadable Payment Card payments. Letters and payment statements will not be mailed and will be held until the strike is over.  Clients are encouraged to register for MyBenefits to have up to date access to letters and payment information. For questions, clients can reach out to their caseworker for support. 

December benefit cheques (dated November 29) will be available for pick-up beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 28.

Ontario Works Third Party Vendors:

Direct bank deposits will continue without interruption. Cheques will not be mailed throughout the strike, consider registering for direct bank deposit, Contact the Finance – Ontario Works team by email:  owfinance@regionofwaterloo.ca or your client's caseworker to make arrangements for an authorized individual pick up cheque(s) at one of the Community Services Welcome Spaces.

Provincial Offences Court 

During the disruption, the following changes in service will be in effect: 

• Fine enforcement activities (such as driver’s license suspensions and plate denials) will be on hold until after the postal disruption is resolved, as notices of fines will not be mailed. 
• Red light camera and automated speed enforcement tickets will be processed as usual, however tickets will not be mailed during this time. 
• Early resolution and trial meetings will still be held and requests for new meetings will continue to be booked during the labour disruption. However, notices informing clients that meetings have been booked will not be mailed. Clients can visit ontario.ca/ticketsandfines to check the status of their case or to request an early resolution meeting.   
• For monetary fines issued prior to the Canada Post labour disruption, clients are recommended to use online, phone, or in-person options for payment. Service will be delayed for payments sent in by mail. 

Grand River Transit: 

During the Canada Post disruption:

• MobilityPLUS products will be delivered by courier
• Corporate cards can be picked up at a customer service location. We will contact you to find out your preferred location.
• EasyGO fare cards cannot be ordered online. Please visit a GRT customer service location or fare vending machine. See a map and list of locations 

Housing Services

For Landlords

Landlords that receive information, including Landlord Statements, via mail will be contacted by a Tenant Service Coordinator (TSC) to discuss an alternative method to receive information.

For Waterloo Region Housing (WRH) Tenants and Rent Supplement Recipients (including the Building Better Futures Program)

• Tenants that receive mail and do not have an email address noted will receive a paper copy of information delivered to their residence, while tenants with an email address on file will receive information via email.
• To pay rent or arrears, return documents including Annual Review packages, please drop them off at one of our Welcome Spaces. If tenants have any questions, they can contact their Tenant Services Coordinator (TSC) or email wrh@regionofwaterloo.ca.
• To submit documentation for Building Better Futures Program (BBFP), please do so via email at bbfp-pra@regionofwaterloo.ca, or visit one of our Welcome Spaces, your partner agency, or the Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region for support.
• To submit a paper housing waitlist application, please drop them off at one of our Welcome Spaces.

For Community Housing Review System

Please return your completed ‘Request for Review of a Decision Form’ to the Community Housing Review System, by email: chrs@regionofwaterloo.ca, in person at one of our Welcome Spaces, or by fax to 519-575-4026.

Water and Wastewater: 

Multi-res, Bylaw, Home Review, Water Softener Plumbing Rebate: mail service for this program will be interrupted. In this case, there will be an option to pick up at the administrative building at 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener during regular business hours. 

Bill Payments – General Accounts Receivable and Township of North Dumfries & Wellesley Water bills:

Water bill delivery - Residents who receive their bills by postal mail are encouraged to sign up for e-billing to prevent delays in receiving their bills:

Water Bill payment options (North Dumfries and Wellesley):

• Preauthorized withdrawal from our bank account. To register for pre-authorized payments complete Water E-Billing & PAD Enrollment Form
• Online or telephone banking through your financial Institution. Select Waterloo Region Water Billing and reference your Customer number
• Payment by phone using credit card. Please call the secure payment line 226-887-8546
• Cheque payments can be dropped off in a sealed envelope addressed to Accounts Receivable at the main reception of one of the locations below 8:30am – 4:30pm:

150 Frederck Street Kitchener

99 Regina Street Waterloo

150 Main Street, Cambridge

Accounts Receivable Bill payment options:

• Preauthorized withdrawal from our bank account. To register for pre-authorized payments complete Pre-authorized Debits
• Online or telephone banking through your financial Institution. Select Waterloo Region Finance and reference your Customer number
• Payment by phone using credit card. Please call the secured payment line 226-887-8546
• Cheque payments can be dropped off in a sealed envelope addressed to Accounts Receivable at the main reception of one of the locations below 8:30am – 4:30pm:

150 Frederck Street Kitchener

99 Regina Street Waterloo

150 Main Street, Cambridge

Vendor Payments by Cheque

• Vendors to be paid by cheque will be contacted to see if the payment method can changed to electronic funds transfer otherwise the cheque will be held for pick up.