The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CPUW) launched a national strike on Sept. 25. Canada Post continues to post updates on the strike and labour discussions on its website. This means Canada Post mail will not be processed, which will have an impact on St. Catharines residents, suppliers and customers.
While the City's modernization efforts such as e-billing and online payments have provided additional tools to conduct City business online, there are still some services which rely on the mail system. The City is working on alternative arrangements for some of these services to minimize the impact to residents and to ensure the business of the City can continue.
It is important to note, property owners and residents are still responsible for on-time property tax and water payments, by their due date. Regular penalties will apply for late payments. Phone Citizens First at 905.688.5600 if you need to know your account balance for water or taxes. Failure to receive a bill or notice does not excuse the responsibility for payment.
Consider registering for e-bills, and in-person or online payment methods, including those available on the City's website, or through your own financial institution. The City also offers pre-authorized payment plans for taxes and water.
Important note: Water Billing for Sections C and DThe City mailed Sections C and D of our water billing just ahead of the labour disruption, and residents in those areas may not receive their bill until the strike has ended. Those affected can contact Citizens First or use e-billing to determine their balance. Check a past water bill to learn your section. Your section letter appears in the top right corner of your water bill below your account number. We will provide updates on distribution of water bills in other sections, as the situation evolves.
| Online Services |
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| Correspondence |
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During the postal disruption, the City will deliver public notices and time-sensitive correspondence required by legislation by hand or by courier. Residents who are expecting correspondence from the City that is not time-sensitive can look forward to receiving it after any possible postal disruption has passed. Time-sensitive information can be delivered to the City in person to Citizens First (second floor City Hall), 50 Church St., Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or sealed in an envelope and dropped into the mail slot at the James Street entrance after hours. Documents or payments that need to be submitted to the City should NOT be put in the mail during the labour disruption. |
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Public Notices |
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Public notices, including Committee of Adjustment, can be viewed on our Public Notices page. |
| Taxes |
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Final property tax notices were mailed May 7. The final installment of 2025 property taxes is due Monday, Sept. 29. We are advising residents not to mail their property tax payments. Property tax payments may be made online at Online Payments - St. Catharines, in person at City Hall or at your financial institution. Any reminder notices for late payments will not be mailed during the strike. See our website for additional information on property taxes and payments. |
| Water |
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During the strike, residents can phone Citizens First at 905.688.5600 or use the City's e-billing platform to check their account balance. See our website for additional information on paying your water bill, including a link to pay your bill online. Most of the City’s meter readings are collected through our automated meter reading system and do not require water meter reading cards. Those accounts that receive water meter reading cards will not be mailed during the Canada Post strike. A reading may be entered through our website by visiting www.stcatharines.ca/Water. Estimated readings will be used to generate water bills instead of actual meter readings. |
| Parking |
Parking tickets can be paid in one of three ways:
Please note, not receiving an overdue notice does not relieve the defendant of their responsibility to pay the original parking ticket during the prescribed time period. |
| Suppliers |
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The City of St. Catharines urges suppliers to enroll in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), the preferred payment method. EFT ensures secure, timely payments and avoids delays associated with mailing cheques. Suppliers who are not yet enrolled in EFT may experience delays in receiving cheque payments. For those who cannot transition to EFT, cheques will be available for pickup at City Hall, 50 Church St. During the Canada Post strike, cheque payments will be held for pickup until postal services resume. Invoices, account statements, and inquiries can be sent via email to accountspayable@stcatharines.ca. For EFT assistance, please contact our Suppliers team at suppliers@stcatharines.ca |
| Licensing |
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Dog Licences: Residents can continue to order dog licences online at www.stcatharines.ca/DocuPet. However, DocuPet will not be able to mail dog licences directly to residents during the Canada Post strike. Digital copies of your dog licence can be accessed by logging into your DocuPet account. Business Licences: We will be unable to mail business licences during the strike; however, business licences can be picked up at Planning and Building Services (first floor City Hall) or we can email your business licence to you. Payment for business licenses can be made using Visa or MasterCard through our online service provider, over the phone by credit card, in person at the Planning and Building Counter, or left in the after-hours drop box on James Street. DO NOT put cash in the drop box. |
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Building Permits |
| Building Permits: Building permits will not be mailed during the strike however, they will be available to be picked up at the Planning and Building Counter (first floor City Hall). Applications for new building permits can be submitted in person or online by visiting www.stcatharines.ca/BuildingPermit or they can be electronically sent as requested. |
| Canada Post Strike FAQ |
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Will the strike affect the mailing of my property tax bill? No. Final property tax notices were mailed May 7, 2025. The City of St. Catharines offers the option for residents to view their property tax and water bill information online with paperless e-bills. Visit stcatharines.ca/E-bills for more information or to register.
Can I still mail my property tax payment? The final installment of 2025 property taxes is Sept. 29, 2025. We are advising residents not to mail their property tax payments. Considerations will be made for payments affected by the strike. These cases will be reviewed on an individual basis.
I usually mail a cheque to pay my taxes / water bill. What are my other options? 1. In person at City Hall. Payments can be made by cheque, cash, or debit. Credit cards may be used at the self-service kiosk next to Citizens First. Convenience fees apply. Payments can be made at the Citizens First Counter (second floor City Hall), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 2. Payments by cheque can be placed in the after-hours drop box located at the James Street entrance of City Hall. DO NOT place cash in the drop box. *Please note: cheques must be made payable to the City of St. Catharines. 3. Pre-authorized payment Plans (PAP): The City offers three Property Tax PAP plans; the Monthly Plan – 10 months, the Monthly Plan – 12 months and the Instalment Plan. To learn more or sign up, please visit stcatharines.ca/PAPTaxForm. The City also offers two Water PAP plans; the Per Bill and the Monthly Plan. To learn more or sign up, please visit stcatharines.ca/PAPWaterForm. 4. Online: The City now offers payments using Visa or MasterCard through our online service provider, Paymentus. A convenience fee applies for credit card transactions. To learn more or make a payment please visit stcatharines.ca/PayOnline 5. In person at most financial institutions. 6. Online with most financial institutions. Check with your financial institution to see if they offer online payments. Search using terms like “water,” “taxes” or “Cath” when prompted to select a payee. Your full 19-digit roll number or five-digit water account number is required.
Can I put my cheque in the mail and wait for the strike to be over? No. Documents or payments that need to be submitted to the City should NOT be put in the mail during the labour disruption.
What if I’ve already put my cheque in the mail? Contact your financial institution and ask them to put a “Stop Payment” on the cheque. If you prefer to pay by cheque, you can do so in person at City Hall or leave a cheque in the James Street after-hours drop box. Please note, residents who opt to do this should notify Citizens First to ensure your original cheque is not cashed and can be mailed back to you once the strike has ended.
Will the strike affect the mailing of my water bill? The City mailed Sections C and D of our water billing just ahead of the labour disruption, and residents in those areas may not receive their bill until the strike has ended. Those affected can contact Citizens First or use e-billing to determine their balance. Check a past water bill to learn your section. Your section letter appears in the top right corner of your water bill below your account number. We will provide updates on distribution of water bills in other sections, as the situation evolves.
How will I submit a water meter reading? Most of the City’s meter readings are collected through our automated meter reading system and do not require water meter reading cards. Those accounts that receive water meter reading cards, the cards will not be mailed during the Canada Post strike. A reading may be entered through our website by visiting stcatharines.ca/Water. Estimated readings will be used to generate water bills for accounts where water meter reading cards are normally mailed, and no reading has been provided.
Will the strike affect the mailing of late notices for property taxes? Reminder notices will not be mailed during the strike.
I didn’t get my water or property tax bill. Does that mean I don’t have to pay it? No. Property owners and residents are still responsible for on-time payment of their water and taxes. Regular penalties will apply for late payments. Phone Citizens First at 905.688.5600 if you need to know your account balance for water or taxes or register for e-billing. Failure to receive a tax notice does not excuse the responsibility for payment.
How will public notices and time-sensitive correspondences be delivered? Public notices and correspondences required by legislation will be delivered by hand or sent via courier. Some notices, such as by-law and building orders or planning notices, may be posted at a property.
How can I pay my parking ticket? Parking tickets can be paid in one of three ways:
Note: Not receiving an overdue notice does not relieve the defendant of their responsibility to pay the original parking ticket during the prescribed time period.
What services can I do through the City’s website?
As a supplier, how will I get payment from the City if you can’t mail me a cheque? Suppliers seeking payment are encouraged to register online by visiting stcatharines.ca/Supplier and to enroll in the Electronic Funds Transfer program. Suppliers who are not yet enrolled in EFT may experience delays in receiving cheque payments. For those who cannot transition to EFT, cheques will be available for pickup at City Hall, 50 Church St. During the Canada Post strike, cheque payments will be held for pickup until postal services resume. Invoices, account statements, and inquiries can be sent via email to accountspayable@stcatharines.ca. For EFT assistance, please contact our Suppliers team at suppliers@stcatharines.ca
Will you be able to mail me my building permit? Building permits will not be mailed during the strike, however, they will be available to be picked up at the Planning and Building Counter (first floor City Hall). Applications for new building permits can be submitted in person or online by visiting stcatharines.ca/BuildingPermit
Will you be able to get me my business licence? We will be unable to mail business licences during the strike however, business licences can be picked up at the Planning and Building Counter (first floor City Hall) or we can email your business licence to you. Payments for business licenses can be made using Visa or MasterCard through our online service provider, over the phone by credit card, in person at the Planning and Building Counter, or by cheque left in the after-hours drop box on James Street. DO NOT put cash in the drop box.
How will I get my dog licence? Residents can continue to order dog licences online at stcatharines.ca/DocuPet. However, DocuPet will not be able to mail dog licences directly to residents during the Canada Post strike. Digital copies of your dog licence can be accessed by logging into your DocuPet account.
I usually mail my bingo report. How can I get it to the City Clerk? Bingo reports can be dropped off at the Office of the City Clerk or left in the afterhours drop box on James Street.
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