Canada Post workers went on strike Thursday night after the federal government instructed the corporation to phase out door-to-door delivery for four million addresses across Canada.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), representing more than 50,000 employees, says the changes threaten jobs, reduce service, and unfairly impact seniors and those with mobility challenges. Instead, the plan would shift most remaining households to community mailboxes. Ottawa estimates the move could save nearly $400 million annually.
The strike has suspended mail and parcel delivery nationwide, including in Surrey, with Canada Post advising that scheduled pickups are cancelled and no new items will be accepted until the disruption ends. Some post offices may also close temporarily.
Union leaders condemned the decision, with CUPW national president Jan Simpson calling the move “an outrage.” He warned that converting more addresses to community boxes “makes little sense when customers want their parcels to the door” and could result in major job losses.
The federal government argues reforms are necessary, citing mounting losses at Canada Post. Letter mail has plummeted from 5.5 billion items in 2006 to roughly two billion in 2025, while parcel market share has dropped from 62 percent in 2019 to 24 percent this year. Despite a $1 billion federal infusion in 2025, the Crown corporation continues losing about $10 million daily.
Local businesses and Surrey households are bracing for delivery delays, with experts warning the disruption could affect service reliability even after the strike ends.
