City urges residents to use online method for tax bills should Canada Post strike go through

By Collin Gallant on May 21, 2025.

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City finance officials are promoting a sign-in service to view and pay property tax bills that will be mailed out Wednesday, just two days before a potential mail strike.

Billing managers said Tuesday that timeline will legally mean they are payable, even though a strike would likely hamper delivery.

“We’re preparing in advance in case a postal strike resumes so that our residents have access to all the resources they need to do business with us,” said Denise Schmaltz, manager of customer care and billing.

“At this time of the year, that includes paying their property taxes on time to avoid penalty.”

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers staged a work disruption last fall but agreed to resume service during a mediation process in the new year. A new strike notice has been issued to take place at midnight on Friday.

In March, the city’s new “eTax” account service was created, which would allow property owners to use an individual login code that is printed on tax bills. Since delivery of the bills is in question, residents can call, email or attend city hall’s payment counter to “manage their 2025 tax affairs online if a mail disruption occurs,” said Schmaltz.

If there is no strike, the mailed paper copies will be delivered as usual.

Anyone wanting their access code or assistance setting up eTax can contact customer care at 403-529-8111, tax@medicinehat.ca, or visit in person on the main floor of city hall at 580 First St. SE.

Property taxes are due June 30, and an 8.5 per cent late penalty will be charged on unpaid balances on July 1.

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