Cheques in the Mail: A Snail’s Pace for Modern Payments
Byline: N/A
Recently, I asked my father to keep an eye out for a specific piece of mail. Not much sent to my home address is worth getting excited about while I’m on the road except for the occasional cheque, unfortunately. Digital payments have taken center stage for many people, but last year nearly 40% of my income arrived as a paper slip, travelling through the postal system, which, to be fair, is currently congested by a strike.
Days after my father got the heads-up, I received an email with the subject “mail strike.” On November 15, tens of thousands of Canada Post workers began picketing, hoping to improve wages and working conditions.
Government cheques continue to reach their intended recipients even with the walkout, but private sector cheques linger in limbo.
I don’t blame the postal workers for this inconvenience. My ire is directed at the stubbornly entrenched businesses clinging to this archaic payment system.
According to Payments Canada, the organization responsible for overseeing the nation’s payment systems, roughly one in five small and medium enterprises still uses cheques for payroll. And that’s just part of the story. Let’s not forget the businesses paying their suppliers – including small businesses and freelancers like myself – with physical cheques as well.
Even a decade ago, when I ran a retail shop, being asked to accept a cheque felt like a throwback. Yet here we are. Some companies stick with cheques to maintain what they see as tighter control over their finances, visually tracking every dollar directed to safeguard against potential fraud, which, while understandable, feels heavily outdated.
It’s not the norm to receive compensation for delayed payments caused by mail delays. My income is hit twice this year because of it. And it’s not just me – a recent string of snowstorms brought across the country, common occurrences in my hometown, stopped the mail for days, forcing me to patiently wait for a physical cheque which was both late and then lost. It had to be reissued.
The onus generally falls on the recipient of delayed payments to bridge any income gaps using inner resources or credit. Hardly ideal, especially in this economy and with 25% of Canadians unable to weather an unexpected $500 expense. That number jumps to over a third of those aged 35 to 44 – which, given my demographic, made my father’s message about assistance during the strike – offering a loan – both heartwarming and typical.
Some flagging union members are seniors, and people who live in remote areas face further disadvantages. Payments may arrive later for those who don’t live in urban centres. Then there’s the added delay of bank holds.with cheques, adding further stress for those relying on timely receipt of payment.</p
Should have said that the report was from the Association of Financial Professionals.
## Interview with [Guest Name], CEO of [Relevant Company/Expert Organization]
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show, [Guest Name]. Today we’re addressing the curious persistence of cheques in the digital age. As the recent postal strike highlights, relying on paper cheques for payroll can be incredibly inconvenient, even disruptive. What’s your take on why some businesses still cling to this older payment method?
**Guest:** Thanks for having me. It’s true, cheques seem positively antiquated in today’s world of instant transactions. But the reality is that many smaller businesses, especially those with older accounting systems or limited technical resources, find them familiar and reliable. They may also be hesitant to adopt new digital payment systems due to perceived security risks or simply the time and cost involved in switching over.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned security concerns. Are those valid? Aren’t digital payment systems generally secure?
**Guest:** Digital payment systems have undoubtedly come a long way in terms of security. However, some businesses may be hesitant due to fear of cyber attacks or data breaches. They may also be concerned about the potential for fraud or errors with electronic transactions.
**Interviewer:** But surely the delays and disruptions caused by situations like the recent mail strike outweigh these concerns?
**Guest:** Absolutely. The recent postal strike has certainly highlighted the vulnerabilities of relying on cheques. For anyone receiving income via cheque, those delays can be financially damaging. For businesses, it can lead to missed payroll deadlines and disrupted cash flow.
**Interviewer:** So what can be done to encourage businesses to move away from cheques?
**Guest:** Beyond simply urging businesses to modernize, we need to see more support and resources available to help them make the transition. This could involve providing financial incentives for adopting digital payment systems, offering free training on new technology, and streamlining the integration process. It’s about making the switch not just desirable but also practical and accessible for everyone.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, [Guest Name], for providing your insights on this important topic.
[Note: This is a sample interview. You can adapt it based on your guest’s expertise and the specific focus you want to achieve.]
