FREDERICTON (CNB) – While back-to-work legislation is pending before Parliament, the provincial government will continue to exercise measures to minimize the impact of reduced mail services until these services return to normal.

Social assistance:

Due to the disruption of mail delivery, regional offices of the Department of Social Development have made arrangements to distribute cheques to New Brunswickers who receive monthly social assistance on Tuesday, June 28, and Wednesday, June 29, at specific locations. A list of these locations is online. Clients can also call their nearest regional office of the Department of Social Development for a recorded message about where to pick up their cheque.

Clients are reminded that they will need to produce their health card and one other piece of identification to pick up their cheque.

Cheques being delivered will be dated for June 30 because July 1 is the Canada Day holiday. Clients, therefore, should verify with their financial institution before trying to cash their cheques prior to this date.  

Monthly social assistance payments sent by direct deposit will be issued June 30.

Family support orders:

Clients awaiting family support payments, normally delivered by mail, are being advised by the Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs that it will continue to offer alternate arrangements until the resumption of mail delivery.

Clients who normally make Family Support payments by mail are encouraged to use online or telephone banking; or, to make payments in person at their local Service New Brunswick office. Employers are also encouraged to use direct deposit to make payments.

All unclaimed payments currently being held will be released once postal service has resumed.

More information is available online or by calling 506-444-4131.

Investors and market participants:

The New Brunswick Securities Commission has posted procedures and related information on its website for those market participants affected by the postal disruption. New Brunswick securities law contains various requirements on delivery of documents to the security holders of reporting issuers.

The disruption of postal service may affect companies that use regular mail to send documents in compliance with these requirements. Exemptive relief may be available for some reporting issuers provided certain conditions are met.

The commission encourages companies to consult with their service providers and legal advisers as to alternative delivery options for proxy-related materials. For those companies, investment funds or intermediaries that wish to discuss obtaining exemptive relief in their particular circumstances, please contact the commission at 1-866-933-2222 or by e-mail, [email protected].

Payments to government vendors and suppliers:

The provincial government is encouraging vendors and suppliers to be pro-active by signing up for direct deposit, as this is the most effective option for receiving payments. If this is not possible, vendors and suppliers can contact the New Brunswick Internal Services Agency at [email protected], to make arrangements either to pick up or to have their payment sent to them cash-on-delivery.

General information:

Other New Brunswickers who interact with the provincial government by mail are encouraged to check for up-to-date information either by calling Service New Brunswick TeleServices at 1-888-762-8600 or visiting the website that the provincial government has established on the postal situation.

LINK:

·    Government of New Brunswick: www.gnb.ca/mail


22-06-11