Mailboxes across the country are sitting empty as the Canada Post strike enters its second week, stopping deliveries of letters and parcels nationwide.
The Crown corporation confirmed that its operations have come to a standstill, with no new items being accepted until the labour disruption ends. Anything already in the system is being held back, and once service resumes, Canadians should expect significant delays as staff clear the backlog. “Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike, and some post offices will be closed,” Canada Post said in a statement.
There are limited exceptions. Social assistance cheques will continue to reach seniors and Canadians who rely on them, thanks to an agreement between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Live animals that were already in transit will also be delivered, but no new shipments of animals are being accepted.
Government-issued documents are also affected. While passport applications are still being processed, new passports will not be mailed out until the strike ends. Those in urgent need can arrange pickup or courier delivery through Service Canada or by calling 1-800-567-6868. If a passport is already in the mail and urgently needed for travel, the same hotline applies. For driver’s licences and health cards, Canadians are being advised to hold onto temporary or expired cards and receipts until permanent replacements can be sent once the strike is over.
For those who need to send or receive items during the disruption, private courier services such as FedEx, Purolator, UPS, DHL and Canpar remain operational, though often at a higher cost. In many cities, smaller local couriers, bike delivery services, and even rideshare platforms like Uber and Lyft are also providing parcel options.
With no resolution yet in sight, millions of Canadians and businesses are left waiting, adjusting, and turning to alternatives as the labour disruption stretches on.