On Thursday, Oct. 9, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced plans to move from a nationwide strike to rotating strikes effective Saturday, Oct. 11.

While we continue to monitor the ongoing labour situation, effective Wednesday, Oct. 15, the provincial health system will resume using Canada Post for non-urgent items only.

Clinics and service areas will resume the use of Canada Post for distribution of patient appointment letters and pre-appointment information that is NOT considered to be urgent or time sensitive. 

Packages, supplies and urgent appointment letters to patients will continue using alternative services.

Patients with upcoming clinic appointments at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg may continue to receive their appointment confirmation by text message. The text messages, which will originate from a Manitoba 431 phone number, will not include patient information and will only identify the facility, date and time of the scheduled appointment. Messages will include the clinic phone number in the event patients wish to confirm their appointment by phone.

Patients will not be asked to disclose financial information over the phone or via email and should not engage with anyone who says they require financial information before a health appointment. If patients have questions about the legitimacy of a call, they are encouraged to contact their clinic or care provider directly.