Notices and other communications during a postal service interruption (By-law No. 2018-306)

A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend certain by-laws of the City requiring the provision of notices and other communications by mail or registered mail and to temporarily authorize the provision of notices and other communications by alternative means, in the event of a postal service interruption.

WHEREAS there is a reasonable prospect that a service interruption will occur in respect of the postal mail system which may affect the delivery of mail and registered mail;

AND WHEREAS a number of by-laws of the City of Ottawa require that notices and other communications be provided by mail or registered mail on behalf of the City to individuals or others, or from individuals or others to the City;

AND WHEREAS City Council deems it necessary to authorize alternative means of providing the required notices or other communications during a postal mail service interruption;

NOW THEREFORE the Council of the City of Ottawa enacts as follows: 

Section 1 - Notices from the City by registered mail

Any by-laws of the City of Ottawa requiring the provision by registered mail of notices or other communications on behalf of the City to individuals or others are amended to authorize the provision of such notices or other communications by the following alternative means to the intended recipient or the intended recipient’s authorized representative, if applicable:

1. by personal delivery;
2. by leaving the notice or communication at the last known personal or business address; or
3. by facsimile or e-mail transmission.

Section 2 - Notices from the City by regular mail

Any by-laws of the City of Ottawa requiring the provision by regular mail of notices or other communications on behalf of the City to individuals or others are amended to authorize the provision of such notices or other communications by the following alternative means to the intended recipient or the intended recipient’s authorized representative, if applicable:

1. by personal delivery;
2. by leaving the notice or communication at the last known personal or business address;
3. by facsimile or e-mail transmission; or
4. by printing in one or more daily or community newspapers, as approved by the City’s Director, Public Information and Media Relations.

Section 3 - Notices to the City

Any by-laws of the City of Ottawa requiring the provision by mail or registered mail of notices or other communications to the City by individuals or others are amended to authorize the provision of such notices or other communications to the intended recipient at the City by the following alternative means:

1. by personal delivery to a City of Ottawa Client Service Centre, during hours of operation, provided that the notice or other communication is clearly addressed to the intended recipient in the City of Ottawa’s administration;
2. by personal delivery to the City’s mail rooms located at 100 Constellation Crescent or 110 Laurier Avenue West, during hours of operation, provided that the notice or other communication is clearly addressed to the intended recipient in the City of Ottawa’s administration; or
3. by facsimile or e-mail transmission directly to the intended recipient within the City’s administration.

Section 4 - Non-application to notices required by Official Plan

This by-law does not apply to notices or other communications required by the City’s Official Plan, or any policy or by-law adopted thereunder.

Section 5 - Effective date

This by-law comes into force and takes effect upon the issuance of a declaration to Council by the City Clerk and Solicitor that he is advised that a postal mail service interruption has commenced and remains in force until the City Clerk and Solicitor issues a declaration to Council that he is advised that the postal mail service interruption is finished.

Enacted and passed this 12th day of September 2018.