Hello, we have been having a problem with Canada Post shipping module since we upgraded our hosting server and our zen cart version from 1.5.3 to 1.5.4

We get this message when it calls for shipping quote;

"Canada Post Canada Post
Cannot reach Canada Post Server. You may refresh this page (Press F5 on your keyboard) to try again.
111 Connection refused
If you prefer to use Canada Post as your shipping method, please contact the Kart Works Canada Online Store via Email."

everything else is working with our site, we have been using zen cart for years about 10... I can work my way around the code some what.
I tried re installing the Canada Post shipping module a few times... no luck we have a 7.1 PHP server now but it is running a a down graded version that was the same as our old server. Our Fedex is working, Canada post it has been like this for over a month now. I figured they are on strike and there maybe problems to wait it out but I think it has something to do with coding or a fire wall or something????

Any help would be much appreciated,
Thank you in advance.