Canadians should prepare for significant mail and parcel disruptions.
This comes after the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) launched a nationwide strike in response to the federal government’s new mandate for Canada Post.
On Thursday, September 25th, it was announced that the government will adopt recommendations from William Kaplan’s Industrial Inquiry Commission report.
The changes include:
- Converting about 4 million addresses from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes
- Ending the rural moratorium on post office closures
- Reducing delivery standards, including cutting the requirement for five-day-a-week service
- Allowing Canada Post to raise stamp rates more frequently
CUPW National President Jan Simpson said postal workers were not consulted ahead of the announcement and raised concerns about potential job losses, reduced services, and the impact on Canadians.
Related: Canada Post to cancel door-to-door mail delivery in massive cost-cutting plan
“This slapdash approach without full public consultation is an insult to the public and to postal workers,” Simpson said. The union confirmed that, effective immediately, all CUPW members at Canada Post are on strike.
In a statement posted on its website, Canada Post said it was disappointed by CUPW’s decision, warning that the strike will cause delays for Canadians and businesses.
During the current strike mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered. some post offices will be closed, service guarantees are suspended, including for items already in the system.
No new items will be accepted until operations resume.
“All mail and parcels in the postal network will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible once operations resume,” Canada Post said, noting delays could continue even after the strike ends.
The government has not yet provided details on how the changes will be implemented, and federal mediators indicated Canada Post will present new global offers next week.
For now, Canadians and businesses are being told to expect nationwide service disruptions until the strike is resolved.
