B.C. ombudsman to investigate delay in sending social assistance cheques amid post strike [Video]

Thousands of social assistance cheques have not been distributed in British Columbia because of the Canada Post strike, prompting an investigation by provincial ombudsperson Jay Chalke.

Chalke’s office began investigating when he was told by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction that many income and disability assistance cheques weren’t delivered.

Chalke says in a statement that he’s concerned that many of B.C.’s most vulnerable people will be left without funds for food and shelter, especially during the upcoming holiday season.

He says that despite the ministry’s efforts to encourage direct deposit, thousands of hard-copy cheques are mailed every month, and the ministry says 40 per cent of those payments weren’t sent last month.

The potential for a Canada Post strike was widely reported before it happened, and Chalke says the ministry needed to have a plan for distributing the cheques without mail service.

Chalke says his investigation will …