ManitobaWinnipeg city services that rely on Canada Post to get information and bills to residents will run a little differently as tens of thousands of postal workers across the country began strike action this week.Many city services available in person, online and by phone, some late fees still apply amid work stoppageCBC News · Posted: Sep 27, 2025 12:28 PM EDT | Last Updated: 6 hours agoWinnipeg residents will see changes to some city services they receive by mail amid the ongoing Canada Post strike. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)Winnipeg city services that rely on Canada Post to get information and bills to residents will run a little differently as tens of thousands of postal workers across the country were back on the picket line this week.So what does this mean for municipal services at the City of Winnipeg?Here’s what you need to know: Water, waste and utilitiesResidents who usually get their utility bills mailed through Canada Post will still receive late charges if fees aren’t paid by their due date, even if the paper bill isn’t delivered on time. You can register to pay utility bills online using the MyUtility online portal.Bills can also be paid using online and telephone banking, or in person at 311 counters at 510 Main St. and 170 Goulet St. via cash, cheque, bank draft or debit. You also pay via credit card using Plastiq, a third-party online payment service. Tipping and other waste collection fees for the Brady Road Resource Management Facility can be paid in person at 1120 Waverley St. with a cheque or money order, or at the Brady Road Landfill office with cash, cheque, money order, or credit card. If you have water and waste accounts not covered by utility or Brady Road billing, refer to the contact information on your invoice for alternative arrangements.Taxes and audits The city said residents with outstanding tax payments will still have penalties applied to their accounts during the stoppage. Taxes can be paid through the tax instalment payment plan (TIPP) or online payment, at a bank or credit union, via courier, or in person at 510 Main St. or 170 Goulet St. during regular business hours. Credit cards are not accepted for in-person tax payments.If you have sent in a TIPP change form before Sept. 15 to apply or cancel payments to be withdrawn on Oct. 1, expect a withdrawal next week. The city said applications for homeowners’ affordability tax credits will still be processed during the strike, as will TIPP payments related to the program.Community servicesWinnipeg Public Library members who get notices by mail are encouraged to use the library’s online service. You can switch your mailing preferences to online by calling or visiting any library branch.The library’s telemessaging service is available at any time for account messages and renewals at 204-986-4657 or toll-free at 1-866-826-4454.Business licence applications and renewals can be submitted in person at the city’s licensing office at 395 Main St. between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Renewals can also be done online, the city said. Animal servicesPet licence applications and renewals are being processed online and in person at the animal services agency building at 1057 Logan Ave., between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Call 311 if you have already mailed a licence-renewal cheque that might be affected by the postal strike. Residents won’t be penalized for unprocessed cheques that were sent on time, the city says.If you did not receive your licence renewal notice in the mail because of the strike, call 311 and provide an email address to receive the forms electronically. You can call 311 to arrange an in-person pickup for licence tags, as mail delivery will be delayed.City clerk’s servicesCity clerk’s services are available in person at 510 Main St. during regular hours. Residents can submit access to information requests online. If you need an alternative format for your request, contact the access and privacy office by phone at 204-986-7509 or email at fippa@winnipeg.ca. City services are still available to Winnipeg residents who visit city hall in person during the Canada Post strike. (Jaison Empson/CBC)Responses to requests can be emailed or picked up in person, the city said. Courier delivery is available upon request for a fee.Any residents who are voting in this year’s byelection for Elmwood-East Kildonan ward councillor, Louis Riel School Division Ward 3 trustee and Pembina Trails School Division Ward 1 trustee, can head to advance polls at city hall starting Monday.The city said notices were delivered by mail on Sept. 18. Sealed envelope ballots can be picked up and returned in person at the City Clerk’s department office. Information about dates and times for polling locations are available on the city’s byelection website.Public works and permittingAnyone with the outstanding fees on their permits should contact the permitting clerk listed on their permit application or contract. To apply for a permit, use the contact listed on the application form you wish to apply for or call 311 to be connected.Planning, property and developmentCustomers with department accounts should contact 311 to make alternative arrangements, like courier or in-person drop-offs.If your contractor licence is set to expire, you can pay the amount owing online or by cheque. Address cheques to “Contractor Licensing” and drop them off in person at the permits office at 30 Fort St., Unit 31.Any additional questions can be emailed to contractorlicence@winnipeg.ca.Anyone who needs to contact the city’s cemetery branch can call 204-986-4348 to make arrangements.Winnipeg Fire Paramedic ServiceAny outstanding payments to the fire department can be made in person at 510 Main St., online, bank or credit union, or by calling 204-986-3001 and making a credit-card payment. If you recently received paramedic services but did not get your bill, send an email to WFPSbilling@winnipeg.ca or call 204-986-3001 to get a digital copy.Corporate financeThe city said it will still be making payments to its vendors and suppliers during the strike. If you are a vendor and have not set up direct deposit yet, cheques can be picked up in person at 510 Main St. during regular business hours. Provide your cheque number, cheque date, vendor number and identification to staff when picking up payments. A courier can also be arranged, the city said. The City of Winnipeg said it will still be making payments to its vendors and suppliers during Canada Post strike. Vendors are encouraged to set up direct deposit or pick up cheques in person at city hall. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Invoices can be emailed to CityWpgAP-Invoices@winnipeg.ca and vendors can call 311 for details on how to set up direct deposit.Human resourcesAnyone who plans to apply to a job with the city can submit applications online. Applications for bus operator positions can also be dropped off in person at Winnipeg Transit’s administrative building at 421 Osborne St. If you recently sent in a bus driver job via Canada Post, contact the department through 311 to confirm it was received.
From dog licences to tax payments, here’s how the Canada Post strike affects City of Winnipeg services
