Canada Post workers have begun rotating regional strikes, and the City of Markham is asking residents and businesses to move their bill payments and city business online or in person to avoid late penalties and service interruptions.
According to a City of Markham news release, mail delivery has resumed in regions already affected by the rotating walkouts. But the city says the union's decision to keep rotating strikes in play means uncertainty and instability in postal service are expected to continue, and further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
The city says its priority is making sure residents and businesses can access municipal services and programs with minimal disruption. Anyone with questions about services affected by the postal disruption can contact Markham's Customer Service Centre at 905-477-5530 or customerservice@markham.ca.
How to pay while mail is disrupted
To avoid late payment fines, the city is pointing residents to alternate payment methods, including paying in person or online.
Property owners can manage their taxes through the city's ePropertyTax account, available at markham.ca/ePropertyTax. Residents who don't yet have an account are being encouraged to sign up.
Parking tickets can be paid online through the Pay a Parking Ticket page on the city's website by clicking the Ticket Search button, which starts the online payment process. A phone payment line is also available 24 hours a day at 1-888-948-1408, though the city notes that option may carry additional processing fees.
In-person payments can be made at Markham Civic Centre, Thornhill Entrance, 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cash payments are not accepted.
Committee of Adjustment notices move online
Because of the labour disruption, the city says notices of upcoming Committee of Adjustment meetings will no longer be sent by regular mail.
Under the legislative requirements of the Planning Act, as set out in Ontario Regulations 197/96 and 200/96, a notice of hearing may instead be posted on the city's website with the time and date of the meeting.
Those notices will be published in the Meeting Agendas, Minutes and Staff Reports section of the Committee of Adjustment website, roughly two weeks before the scheduled hearing date.
Residents with questions about the status of an upcoming application or meeting can reach Committee of Adjustment staff at 905-475-4721 or coa@markham.ca.
