Canada Post says it is fully prepared for the holiday shipping rush and expects letters and parcels to be delivered on time following labour disruptions over the past two years.
In a statement released Tuesday, the postal service said commercial volumes are moving through its system as expected and that operations remain stable as the busy holiday season begins.
“We are fully prepared to support businesses during their busiest season and deliver for Canadians this holiday,” said Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu in an emailed statement. “Mail and parcels are moving as expected — items can be inducted, pickups are underway, and we are processing and delivering new items safely and efficiently.”
The update comes weeks after Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which represents about 55,000 postal employees, reached an agreement in principle on new labour contracts. As part of the deal, the union suspended rotating strikes, while Canada Post agreed not to pursue any lockout action as both sides finalize contract language.
Labour relations between the two parties have been strained in recent years, with disputes centred on wage increases and proposed structural changes to the workforce, including expanded use of part-time employees and the introduction of seven-day-a-week delivery.
Postal workers staged multiple job actions during negotiations, including a disruptive strike just before the holidays last year. In response, the federal government asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to intervene and established an Industrial Inquiry Commission to help chart a long-term path forward for the postal service.
CUPW later launched another nationwide strike on Sept. 25, hours after the federal government announced changes to Canada Post’s business model, including plans to eventually phase out door-to-door mail delivery for most households. The union shifted to rotating stoppages in October before reaching the current tentative agreement.
Liu advised customers to monitor Canada Post’s website for any service alerts affecting domestic or international deliveries. She also encouraged online shoppers to review retailers’ shipping options and choose delivery services that best suit their timelines during the holiday period.