Canada Post Strike
With the Canada Post strike now in full effect across Canada, many routine postal services have ground stopped. Among the hardest hit are families and friends who rely on mail to send money to incarcerated loved ones.
For many inmates, the money they receive from outside support is essential to pay for phone calls and canteen. With Canada Post unavailable, that lifeline is severely disrupted.
Corrections Canada released the following statement regarding the Canada Post Strike:
“During the Canada Post strike, Correctional Service Canada is making every effort to minimize the disruption to correspondence with inmates. These efforts include processing mail delivery received from sources other than Canada Post. However, for the duration of the strike, there may be delays in correspondence sent to or from individuals in CSC institutions. Other methods of communication such as telephones, video visitation and in-person visits remain available to inmates.”
Why the mail money is so important in Canadian Correctional Facilities
In Canada’s federal correctional system, inmates have a “telephone account” (or “Smart card”) to pay for phone calls. Usually, families send money orders through the mail, addressed to the institution for their loved one. Corrections Canada usually the funds for up to 10 business days (30 days for foreign currency) before crediting the inmate’s account.
But with the postal strike, money can no longer be mailed into the institutions which means funds may never arrive or arrive too late, both outcomes are bad for the inmate since money is only added on certain dates. Without money, the inmate can no longer pay for their phone calls and will not be able to contact their lawyer or their loved ones unless they can make a collect call.
Alternative ways to send money to jails
Fortunately, many provincial and federal facilities already support alternative deposit channels that bypass the postal system.
Send money by courier: Companies such as FedEx or Purolator are still able to send letters/money orders to correctional facilities. This tends to be expensive, but it is a good option in emergency situations.
In-person hand delivery or cashier at the institution: During visiting hours, some facilities will allow you to visit the institution and deposit cash or money orders in person. Contact the institution for more details.
MoneyGram / Canada Post agent transfers: In provinces like Manitoba, deposits may still be made via MoneyGram (available through post office agents), which then routes funds to the inmate’s phone or trust account. These transfers do not require traditional mail delivery.
Synergy Deposits / Inmate Phones systems: In many jurisdictions (e.g. Alberta, British Columbia), inmates’ trust or phone accounts can be funded via online. Funds typically post within 24–48 hours.
How FedPhoneLine can help maintain calls
FedPhoneLine is an easy way to stay connected during the Canada Post strike. With FedPhoneLine you can pay for a phone number online so you can avoid the mail entirely.
Many people are using it as an emergency option. They will purchase the cheapest plan ($6.99/month) and just in case their loved one needs it they always have an option to use the FedPhoneLine number.
Because FedPhoneLine payments are made directly on their website. There’s no dependency on the jail’s internal mail or funds transfer systems. Even if mail is halted, families can continue paying for calls independent of Canada Post or expensive mail couriers.