Canada Post workers have been on strike since Sept. 25, bringing mail and parcel deliveries to a complete standstill nationwide.
According to Canada Post, operations are halted during the national strike, meaning mail and parcels will not be accepted or delivered until the dispute ends. Items already in the system will be held back, and service guarantees have been suspended. Once operations resume, customers should expect delays as the backlog is cleared.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes. Social assistance cheques will continue to be delivered through a special agreement between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). Live animals that were shipped prior to the strike will also be delivered, though new shipments will not be accepted until service resumes.
Government documents:
Passport applications are still being processed, with urgent passports available via courier or pickup at Service Canada offices.
If your passport is stuck in the mail and urgently needed, contact 1-800-567-6868.
New driver’s licences and health cards that were already mailed out are delayed. Temporary or expired cards remain valid until replacements arrive.
Alternatives for sending items:
While Canada Post remains on strike, private couriers such as FedEx, Purolator, UPS, DHL and Canpar continue to operate, though often at a higher cost. Smaller courier services and even rideshare delivery options like Uber and Lyft may provide local solutions.
Why are workers on strike?
CUPW launched the strike in response to the federal government’s overhaul of postal operations, which includes proposals to close rural post offices and phase out daily door-to-door delivery. The union argues these measures threaten jobs and public service quality.
Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger has defended the changes, noting the corporation is losing about $1 billion annually. “Instead of increasing our reliance on taxpayers, there are practical changes we can make to modernize the nation’s postal service and make it financially sustainable,” Ettinger said.
Union leaders, however, argue the reforms are being rushed without proper public consultation. “We cannot accept this attack on good jobs and public services,” CUPW said in a statement.
Until the strike is resolved, Canadians face suspended mail delivery, delayed documents, and the challenge of turning to alternative courier services for urgent needs.
