After more than two months of stalled talks, Canada Post will present new global offers to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) on Friday, marking a potential turning point in a prolonged labour standoff.

The meeting comes 44 days after CUPW last submitted its own proposals and 63 days since members rejected a forced vote aimed at ending the impasse.

Union negotiators confirmed they will review the Corporation’s latest offers during the session, with updates for members expected soon after.

The dispute, now stretching into months, involves 55,000 postal workers across Canada. Key issues include wages, part-time staffing, and delivery standards.

In August, CUPW members rejected what Canada Post had called its “final offer.” The union countered with new demands, which Canada Post argued would impose “significant costs and restrictions at a challenging time” for the struggling postal service.

Meanwhile, CUPW escalated job action in late September by halting delivery of unaddressed flyers, known as Neighbourhood Mail, in an effort to pressure Canada Post back to the bargaining table. The Corporation urged CUPW to lift the ban, saying millions of flyers remain “trapped in the network.”

Canada Post, which has been reporting financial losses, is seeking concessions on weekend delivery and flexible part-time staffing. CUPW, on the other hand, is pushing for stronger worker protections and fairer compensation.

As both sides prepare for Friday’s talks, Canadians remain caught in the middle, with concerns about delivery disruptions ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

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.

Nova Scotia is facing its deadliest year for motorcyclists in a decade, with 16 riders killed in crashes across the province in 2025 — and advocates are demanding urgent change.

The victims include a teenage hockey player, a retiree, and even a couple who had shared 40 years of marriage. They were fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, neighbours and friends — ordinary Nova Scotians whose lives were cut short on the road.

Marlene Roach, founder of the Bikers Down Society, says the numbers are unacceptable. “It’s only getting worse and worse,” she stressed. “The government’s got to step in. They’ve got to do something.”

Roach is calling for mandatory training programs before drivers can obtain a motorcycle licence, restrictions on powerful bikes for younger riders, and greater accountability from all motorists. “If you get in an accident, it’s not the cars … you’re the one that’s going to get injured or killed. There’s no second chance most of the time.”

She also urged drivers to be more vigilant, particularly when turning left at intersections. “Look twice, save a life,” Roach emphasized.

RCMP collision expert Corey Ford echoed the urgency, noting most deaths are preventable and often linked to distracted, impaired, or aggressive driving, along with failure to use helmets or other safety measures.

“Unlike in a car, where you just jam on your brakes and hope for the best, a motorcycle requires skill and quick decision-making,” Ford explained. He stressed the importance of riders brushing up on braking and crash-avoidance techniques.

While a year with no fatalities may be unrealistic, Ford insists everyone — drivers and riders alike — has a role to play. “You don’t know what other motorists are doing. So if that means staying out of blind spots, paying attention, and being courteous, then that’s what we need to do. Everybody needs to share the road.”

The tragic toll of 2025 has sparked renewed calls for reforms, leaving many to wonder how many more lives must be lost before stronger action is taken.