Canada Post workers have launched a nationwide strike following the federal government’s announcement of sweeping reforms to the postal service, causing widespread disruptions to mail and parcel deliveries across the country. The strike began on September 25, 2025, when the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) called for a nationwide walkout hours after the government authorized major changes to Canada Post. This immediate action shut down postal operations, leaving millions of Canadians without mail and parcel services. Canada Post stated that no new items would be accepted, and service guarantees for existing mail were suspended. However, the delivery of government benefit cheques, such as Old Age Security and Canada Child Benefit, continues unaffected.
The catalyst for the strike was the government’s directive to Canada Post to implement significant reforms, including ending door-to-door delivery for approximately four million households and closing some rural post offices. Public Works and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced these measures, citing the need to address the Crown corporation’s severe financial losses. Canada Post has been struggling with declining letter mail volumes and increased competition from private couriers, leading to substantial deficits.
CUPW expressed outrage at the reforms, describing them as a “direct assault” on public postal services and unionized jobs. The union, representing 55,000 postal workers, had been in contract negotiations for nearly two years over issues like wages and working conditions. Earlier this month, they rejected a government offer of a 13 per cent pay increase, holding out for 19 per cent, and accused Canada Post of walking away from talks.
The strike has halted all mail and parcel processing, with Canada Post warning that delays will persist even after operations resume. During the strike, items already in the postal network are secured but undelivered, and the backlog could mirror the “couple million” deep accumulation seen after last year’s holiday season strike. Passport applications are still being processed, with options for in-person pickup, and live animals continue to be delivered.
This labor action is part of an ongoing dispute; a previous strike in November 2024 lasted 32 days before the federal government legislated workers back to work. Canada Post’s financial woes are deep-seated, with losses of $1 billion in 2024 and projections of $1.5 billion for 2025. In January, Ottawa provided a $1 billion loan to keep the service afloat, but daily losses are estimated at $10 million.
The government’s reform plan, based on a 2024 review, aims to “stabilize” Canada Post by phasing out home delivery over nearly a decade, reducing delivery days, and allowing price increases. Lightbound emphasized that these changes are necessary to save the postal service from insolvency. Canada Post welcomed the reforms, arguing they are essential for viability, while CUPW has proposed alternative revenue streams like banking services.
Negotiations between CUPW and Canada Post remain deadlocked, with the union switching to rotating strikes on October 11 to allow some mail movement while continuing the protest. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has not ruled out federal intervention to end the strike, similar to the back-to-work legislation used in 2024. The outcome depends on whether both sides can reach a compromise on wages and job security.
The strike highlights broader challenges facing national postal services worldwide, as digital communication reduces mail demand and private competitors encroach on parcel delivery. In Canada, the situation underscores tensions between public service obligations and fiscal sustainability, with implications for rural communities and elderly residents reliant on home delivery. As the dispute unfolds, Canadians face uncertainty over postal services during a critical period.