Even if it will be suspended from the start of the week, the postal strike will still cause numerous inconveniences for consumers.
Because passports, account statements and the millions of packages lying dormant in Canada Post facilities or Service Canada offices will not arrive at consumers’ homes anytime soon.
Here are four areas for which they have serious questions, particularly with the Consumer Protection Office (OPC). We have answers.
1. Credit cards
According to the Consumer Protection Act (LPC), a credit card issuer cannot charge late fees if you have not repaid the minimum balance required on the account statement on time… and you have not received this account statement in paper format at your home!
“You must have expressly renounced this sending in writing,” specifies Charles Tanguay, spokesperson for the OPC. Otherwise, the issuer must find another way than mail to send you the account statement. It can also offer you the transmission of the account statement in electronic format, but the card holder must consent to this. An issuer cannot simply mention that it is available on the web.”
A very large number of consumers still receive their account statements by mail. However, according to the Canadian Bankers Association, 71% of cardholders reduce their balance to zero each month. Canadian consumers have 100 million credit cards, or more than three cards per person.
2. Collection agencies
According to the LPC, a collection agency must write to you and wait a week before calling you about a debt. She must therefore find a way to send you the paper notice other than by mail before contacting you by telephone.
3. Parcel delivery
The LPC specifies that the delivery of your purchases is the responsibility of the merchant. If you have not received your package 30 days after the expected delivery date, you can request a refund.
If the merchant is uncooperative, you can request a chargeback from the credit card issuer. Clarification that the LPC provides that if there is no delivery date, you have 30 days after the date of the transaction (or purchase) to request a refund.
4. Passports
Nearly 137,000 travelers are waiting for their passports, stuck in federal government offices or those of Canada Post, to the despair of many travelers, who have to postpone or cancel their departure. Does this situation qualify for compensation from the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents (FICAV)? No, says the OPC.
It is, however, possible to obtain your passport directly at a Service Canada office, but you must contact the agency beforehand by phone (1 800 567-6868). Be patient, the telephone wait can be up to an hour. It is possible either to request the issuance of a passport urgently or to make a new request.
On the other hand, most travel insurance contracts do not cover this type of situation, specifies the Canadian Association of Life and Health Insurers (CLHIA). The organization therefore suggests checking your travel insurance contract or checking with your insurer. Otherwise, contact your travel agent or carrier to find out your options.
