Government of Yukon ensures continued access to essential services during Canada Post disruption

In response to the ongoing Canada Post strike, the Government of Yukon has implemented measures to ensure Yukoners and businesses continue to access essential services, cheques and payments.

Individuals receiving government payments by direct deposit will remain unaffected and will continue to receive funds as usual. Communities will continue to receive essential mail through their community post offices.

To minimize disruptions, the Department of Health and Social Services has put alternative delivery methods in place for key programs and payments, including health care cards, financial supports and home care services.

Health care cards.
New and replacement Yukon Health Care Cards will continue to be issued.

• Whitehorse residents will be contacted to pick up their cards in person at the Insured Health Services office, 204 Lambert Street, 4th Floor, during regular business hours (8:30 am to 5 pm). Please bring a piece of identification with you.
• In communities, cards will be sent to the local postmaster who will distribute them as usual.

Medical travel. 

• Whitehorse residents will be contacted to pick up subsidy payments in person at the Insured Health Services office, 204 Lambert Street, 4th Floor, during regular business hours. Please bring a piece of identification with you.
• In communities, subsidy payments will be sent to the local postmaster who will distribute them as usual. 

Extended suite of benefits (Pharmacare, Children's Drug and Optical, Chronic Disease and Disability Benefit Program). 

• Whitehorse residents will be contacted to pick up program reimbursement in person at the Insured Health Services office, 204 Lambert Street, 4th Floor, during regular business hours. Please bring a piece of identification with you.
• In communities, program reimbursements will be sent to the local postmaster who will distribute them as usual.

Vital Statistics. 

• Whitehorse residents will be contacted to pick up vital life event certificates in person at the Insured Health Services office, 204 Lambert Street, 4th Floor, during regular business hours. Please bring a piece of identification with you.
• In communities, vital life event certificates will be sent to the local postmaster who will distribute them as usual.

Financial and social support payments.
The Government of Yukon has implemented temporary measures to ensure that payments such as Social Assistance, Yukon Seniors Income Supplement (YSIS) and the Pioneer Utility Grant (PUG) continue during the postal strike.

• Cheques will be sent to the Income Support Office at 3168 3rd Avenue, Whitehorse for secure pickup.
• Medical travel cheques are being rerouted to the Department of Finance at 2071 2nd Avenue, Whitehorse for secure pick up.
• Clients will be contacted directly if a valid phone number is on file.
• Government-issued identification is required when collecting cheques.
• Clients are encouraged to set up electronic funds transfer (EFT) to avoid future disruptions.
• Direct deposit payments are not affected and will continue as usual.

Home care.
During the Canada Post strike, the Yukon Home Care program is committed to maintaining direct communication with clients.

• Staff will contact clients by telephone, email, or in person instead of sending mail.
• Letters that would normally be mailed will be shared by email, provided in person, or mailed once the strike is over.

The Government of Yukon will hold all non-critical mail until Canada Post resumes normal service. 

Long-term care homes.
During the Canada Post strike, Yukon’s Long-term Care homes will continue to share important updates with residents and families through alternative methods.

• Residents or families who normally receive updates by mail can provide their care coordinator with an email address to receive updates electronically.
• If important information is shared during the strike, care team members will call those who do not receive email updates.
• Printed copies of updates will also be available at the front desk of each care home.