A communications outage at the Shaw building in Calgary from earlier this week is still affecting services across the province.

Those with a driver’s license or health card about to expire will have to wait until at least next week to register for a new one.

“We’re likely turning away 300 transactions per day right now,” said Steve Cutting with West End Registries.

A fire at the Shaw building in Calgary knocked out Internet, phone and other communication services on Wednesday.

In Calgary, 110 elective surgeries were cancelled and 298 diagnostic procedures postponed as a result of the outage. Some emergency rooms also reported longer than usual wait times as Alberta Health Services staff still can’t access patient records on its computers.

“Our priority number one is to serve people, to get services back online for the public of Alberta and for government officials,” Service Alberta Minister Manmeet Bhullar said on Friday.

“Staff are working 24/7 to get these problems sorted out.”

However until crews restore the problem, all motor vehicle services, as well as many land title services, including searches, and Alberta Health Care registrations, will be down.

The government has given drivers nearing license expiration a 30-day extension to renew.

Driver’s licenses with expiry dates from July 1 will also be deemed valid until the motor vehicle registry system is restored.

Those who have just bought a new vehicle will have 14 days within the date of the purchase before they’re required to have a new license plate and registration.

“They’re showing some leniency,” said Brian Dawson with West Edmonton Hyundai.

“They’ll allow you to use the current plate on your vehicle right now.”

On Friday, the province said systems that support court systems, high school transcript processing, Alberta Works, including income support and learner benefits payments, and AISH payments have been restored.

The province said temporary measures are also in place to help Albertans, law enforcement officials and others affected by the outage including:

  • Access to registry services dealing with vital statistics, personal property and corporate registry. 
  • Licence-free fishing from July 13 to 15. Alberta’s sportfishing regulations still apply.
  • Hunters will be able to access their draw results by phoning 1-900-451-3729. The $.75/minute fee has been waived until July 19.
  • Albertans who have already purchased a test permit, can proceed with the road/knowledge test to obtain a driver’s licence.
  • Albertans who purchase a new vehicle and have a valid licence plate and registration in their name for the vehicle they are replacing, can use this on their new vehicle for 14 days within the date of purchase.
  • Time sensitive land title documents such as Builders’ Liens and Health Hazards will be accepted at Land Titles North and South, due to legislative requirements.
  • Government is also working with the Alberta Law Society to keep its membership informed and on other options for some critical transactions.

With files from Ashley Molnar