Arnprior, Ont., man forced to pay thousands after notice of recovered truck caught up in Canada Post strike

David Miller's Dodge Ram truck was stolen in July, 2024. It was later found but the letter informing him of that was delayed by the Canada Post strike. (Photo courtesy of David Miller)

An Arnprior man says he is on the hook for thousands of dollars after a notice informing him his stolen truck had been recovered was caught up in the Canada Post strike.

David Miller says his white Dodge Ram pickup truck was stolen from downtown Ottawa last July.

Thefts of high-end trucks and SUVs has been a significant problem across Ontario, but Miller was one of the lucky ones, or so he thought.

After reporting the theft to Ottawa police, Miller says he received a notice in the mail this month stating his truck had been found and recovered. But the letter was dated Nov. 26, 2024, just a short time after the Canada Post strike had begun. In the interim, Miller says he never received a phone call from Ottawa police, his insurance company, or the company financing the truck to tell him it had been found.

Miller’s truck was taken to a tow yard in Ottawa owned by SMC Towing. He says after holding the truck for two months, SMC Towing informed him that the truck had accrued roughly $4,600 in storage fees.

After being contacted by CTV News, SMC Towing says it has agreed to slash Miller’s bill by $1,400, or a rate of 20 days, the duration of the Canada Post strike.

Miller tells CTV News the cost to release the truck is exorbitant for him, and that he feels the victim of an auto theft should not have to pay such a fee to have his vehicle returned.

He says after speaking with Ottawa police and his insurance provider, neither party would agree to cover the charge.

This is a developing story. More to come.