NB did not accept Canada Post’s offer to distribute social benefits

Fredericton “forces” social assistance recipients to travel to collect their benefit checks from the regional offices of the Department of Social Development while the Canada Post workers’ union has a memorandum of understanding to continue distributing them despite the strike, says the union.

On Wednesday, the New Brunswick government released a press release ensuring that the Department of Social Development is making efforts to prevent delays in the postal delivery of checks issued by the department, as the work stoppage continues at Canada Post.

For those who receive their payments directly into their account, there is no change, but for those who receive them by mail, the checks for the month of December were sent to the regional offices of the ministry located in several communities of the province.

There are nine in the north, four in the central region, three in the southwest and four in the southeast. Recipients can pick up their checks at these locations for two days only, Thursday and Friday.

However, the Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) explains that it has an agreement with its employer which agrees that members agree to pro bonoly process and distribute government, provincial and municipal payments to seniors, low-income people and those receiving a pension check or other form of social assistance.

This memorandum of understanding is signed at each conflict. It is offered to the different levels of government in Canada.

The provinces had the chance to accept or refuse Canada Post’s offer. Historically, they have always done business with Canada Post during these periods and it seems that this year some provinces have decided to change the way they do business.explains Yannick Scott, from STTP, who deplores this choice.

He says he is disappointed, emphasizing that it isa service that we provide to the most vulnerable.

Instead, governments are choosing to force members of the public to travel for their much-needed checks.wrote the union in a press release published last Thursday.

New Brunswick is not the only one not to have opted for the agreement with the STTP. No Atlantic province has done so.

A “not acceptable” situation for the oppositions

In the House, the parliamentary leader of the official opposition questioned the Minister of Social Development to find out why the government decided to refuse the offer from the postal workers’ union.

Margaret Johnson says he does not understand why beneficiaries are asked to drive long distances to collect their checks. I was in disbelief when I heard thisshe said in the press scrum.

She points out that with the price of gasoline at the moment, it doesn’t make sense to ask them to travel when they already have financial difficulties. She emphasizes the fact that many beneficiaries cannot afford a car and must therefore ask for help to get around.

Megan MittonMP from the Green Party, agrees with her Progressive Conservative colleague. According to her, it is not acceptable that the most vulnerable have to travel to receive their checks.

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Just like Margaret Johnsonshe believes that the minister should reverse her decision and accept the union’s offer.

The Minister of Social Development, Cindy Milessays she needs more information to understand what could have explained the refusal of the union offer.

The minister says, however, that all people waiting for a check from her ministry have been or will be contacted.

If the option of direct deposit or going on site is not available, the minister said she will find other solutions. She even said that agents from her department could be called upon to deliver checks on site.

With information from Alix Villeneuve