Canada Post has just announced that they will be providing a free forwarding service to community members and businesses of Whati and Fort Providence.
Post offices in the communities of Whati and Fort Providence were closed earlier this week until further notice. On Tuesday, Canada Post issued a red delivery service alert for Whati and Fort Providence in response to the wildfire situation and the recent evacuation orders put in place in these two communities.
“Canada Post is putting contingency measures in place, assessing the situation and options to best serve residents and to keep them connected,” said Geneviève Joly, who is a media representative with Canada Post.
Beginning Sept. 3, residents and businesses of Fort Providence and Whati will have free access to Mail Forwarding service for up to 12 months. According to the announcement, evacueees have until Oct. 3 to register for the free service.
“Mail Forwarding is an important service for ongoing mail and it also provides a vital link with government and relief agencies going forward. If a customer receives regular cheques through the mail, it’s important for them to register,” said representatives in the announcement.
Those who register will able to set up an alternative mailing address to ship mail temporarily.
Anyone who would like to more about the service, and how to sing up, is asked to visit the Canada Post website at canadapost.ca/mailforward
According to the announcement issued this morning, mail for affected customers of Fort Providence is available for pickup in Hay River at the Hay River Post Office at 101-41 Capital Crescent and mail for affected customers of Whati is available for pickup in Yellowknife at the Yellowknife Main Post Office at 4902 50th Avenue, between 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Representatives with Canada Post said that customers must bring valid government-issued photo identification to pick up their mail.
Canada Post asks anyone who would like more information regarding mail delivery, to contact Canada Post’s Customer Service team online at canadapost.ca/support or by phone at 1-866-607-6301 (TTY: 1-800-267-2797).
