Canada Post and CUPW continue to negotiate for new collective agreements. However, another labour disruption could occur as early as May 22, 2025 if new agreements have not been reached. If a disruption happens, mail delivery may be impacted.
How you can help in the event of a labour disruption:
- Submit requests through Advisor Workspace wherever possible
- Encourage clients to register for My Canada LifeTM
- Encourage clients to register for electronic funds transfer (EFT) wherever possible
- Encourage clients to pay online using their financial institution’s website
Non-urgent outgoing mail
All non-urgent correspondence that doesn’t include a cheque will be delayed until postal service resumes unless you make a special request. However, you’ll still receive copies of all Canada Life correspondence that is normally sent by courier service.
Exception: Mutual fund business. See the Quadrus Investment Services Ltd. section.
Urgent outgoing mail
We understand everyone’s personal situation is unique. We’ll consider exceptions in certain circumstances. To request an exception, please contact us.
We’ll handle urgent outgoing mail as follows:
Item | Process |
---|---|
Wealth Operations and Quadrus |
Send by courier
Note: Cheques less than the above amounts will be held until mail service resumes.
|
In-force Client Services |
Disbursements:·
Note: Cheques less than $25,000 will be held until mail service resumes. |
Claims |
Life:
Living benefits:
Wealth:
|
New Business |
|
Most outgoing mail that doesn’t contain a payment will be considered non-urgent. We’ll mail it after the postal disruption ends. This includes client statements, confirmations and premium notices. Don’t forget you can access this information through Advisor Workspace.
Encourage your clients to use EFT where possible. Clients can set this up by calling 1-888-252-1847. Reference the above chart for thresholds. Otherwise, we’ll mail cheques after the labour disruption ends.
For wealth business, there’s no change in how you process business. Please continue to send in your business, signed application and supporting documentation using Advisor Workspace, email or interoffice courier as you do today.
For life insurance and wealth management claims: beneficiaries will need to either provide an email address to receive claimant forms or get the appropriate forms from you. Other insurance business won’t be affected.
For new business: if you currently use Canada Post to send paper applications to us, you’ll need to consider using a courier service instead during the labour disruption. Please use SimpleProtect™ or submit digital applications using links in Workspace when possible. For paper applications, please send them by courier, as usual.
For In-Force Client Service: there’s no change in how you process business. Please continue to send in your business, signed application and supporting documentation using Advisor Workspace, email or interoffice courier as you do today.
Note: We recommend caution when using email for personal information, as we cannot guarantee the security of email systems outside of our organization.
Yes, if a cheque is urgently needed, please contact 1-888-252-1847 or send your request by email to the appropriate area.
Most couriered mail will require a signature when received. This is to protect privacy and ensure the correct person receives it.
Many insurance policies include a grace period before a policy is discontinued. If your clients are concerned about their coverage, please direct them to make an online payment through their financial institution or contact the Client Service Centre at 1-888-252-1847.
We'll stop using the postal service a few days before the possible labour disruption date to avoid this situation. There may be a few items still in the mail and if your client was expecting an urgent item, please contact the Client Service Centre at 1-888-252-1847. However, please note, it can take up to ten days for a cheque to be cancelled and another issued.
We’ll continue to assess the situation during the disruption and make changes accordingly. We’ll update you as we know more information.
We’ll post updates on canadalife.com as they become available. You can also contact the Client Service Centre at 1-888-252-1847. For new business insurance applications, advisors should reach out directly to their New Business coordinator for support.
While we expect many clients will contact you directly, they can also get up-to date information on canadalife.com or by contacting the Client Service Centre at 1-888-252-1847.
Clients can also register for My Canada LifeTM for 24/7 access to info about their individual investments, savings and insurance. (My Canada Life is not currently available for business or corporate-owned policies. If clients don’t live in Canada they can get help to register at 1-416-597-6981 (collect calls accepted) to get started.)
Learn more about the latest features and product details, and how you can invite your clients to register.
Urgent communications
Send urgent communications to head office via email at:
- Living Benefits Claims: LBClaims@canadalife.com
- Wealth Operations: advisordirectscan@canadalife.com
Life insurance claims
- Quebec: Quebec.DeathClaimsAdm@canadalife.com
- Other Provinces: HeadOffice.DeathClaimsAdm@canadalife.com
Wealth Claims
- Refer to your Process Navigator for the appropriate email address or contact the Client Service Centre at 1-888-252-1847
Living Benefits Client Service
Life Insurance Client Service
Insurance New Business
- Contact your New Business Associate/ New Business Coordinator.
Mutual fund business through Quadrus Investment Services Ltd.
Non-urgent outgoing mail
Confirms will be held until after the postal disruption.
NOTE - Contact the Fund Company directly for any mailings being sent for client-name accounts or nominee non-registered plans.
Remember you can print quarterly statements on Investment
Centre and deliver to clients if urgent.
Urgent outgoing mail
Clients are required to receive Fund Fact and disclosure documents at the time of the sale – so the postal disruption won’t have an effect on client’s receiving their copy of required disclosure documentation when investing in mutual funds.
Electronic funds transfer
Continue to set up client EFT. You can request a report of your clients who have selected “cheque” as their payout option for nominee automatic withdrawals (AWDs) using this form: Request form - clients with cheque based redemptions (office.com)
Courier services
Continue to follow the normal process for your mutual fund business – a guaranteed overnight courier that uses tracking (for example, FedEx).
Urgently needed items
Contact your advisor services representative.
For more information
You should be first point of contact for your clients. However, during a postal disruption, both you and your clients may contact an Advisor services representative at 1-888-532-3322 with questions about mutual fund transactions.
No, follow the same paper flow process you use today, using courier.
It normally comes by mail.
Expect a delay in receiving your signed paperwork from the Quadrus branch while the labour disruption continues. Make sure to keep a copy for your records in case you need it and the paperwork hasn’t been returned to you. Contact your Quadrus branch manager directly if you require mutual fund paperwork for your client file urgently.
For urgent communications to Quadrus, either:
- Email your Advisor Services Representative directly.
- Contact 1-888-532-3322.