Delays in Mail and parcel deliveries can be inconvenient, more specifically foreign residents in Canada are still waiting for their legal documents such as visas, passports, and health cards. As many foreign residents plan to leave Canada, they are stuck waiting for their application causing them to missed the scheduled flights and increasing their expenses in hotel stays as they wait.
Latest Updates from Canada Post
December 20
Canada Post is making significant progress in resuming operations after the recent strike. Commercial volumes are now being accepted, and the network is ramping up to return to normal service levels. However, delivery delays will persist into early January 2025, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Network Status
- Parcels: All items held during the strike have been processed and are moving through the network.
- Mail: Existing mail, parcels, and returns have been cleared from post offices to make room for new items.
- Commercial Volumes: New mail and parcels are being inducted and processed on a first-in, first-out basis.
Delivery Delays
- Domestic Packages:
- Urban areas: Expect delays of 2–3 days.
- Longer distances: Delays of up to 10 days.
- Full service levels expected by early January 2025.
- Rural and Remote Areas: Delays may extend into early 2025.
- International Mail and Parcels: Delays will continue into 2025, with new items accepted starting December 23.
Customer Information
- Parcels and Mail: Scheduled pickups resumed December 19, with on-demand pickups starting December 23.
- Neighbourhood Mail: Date-specific services remain unavailable; general mailings are processed on a first-in, first-out basis.
- Return Labels: Labels created after October 15 are valid for 45 days.
- Transaction Mail: Service standards will be temporarily affected, with efforts to expedite processing.
On-Time Service Guarantees
- Guarantees remain suspended during this period of stabilization. Customers will be notified when they are reinstated.
Commitment to Customers
Canada Post is focused on processing and delivering all items in the network while ensuring customer expectations are met as quickly as possible. Updates on progress and service levels will continue to be provided.
December 16
Canada Post will restart operations on Tuesday, December 17, following the end of the strike. Stabilizing the network will take time, and customers should expect delays through the remainder of 2024 and into early 2025.
Key Updates for Customers:
General Operations:
- Processing Backlog: Priority will be given to clearing mail and parcels stuck in the system since November 15 on a first-in, first-out basis.
- New Volume: New commercial mail and parcels will be accepted starting Thursday, December 19.
Service Adjustments:
- Delivery Delays: Expect delays in processing, pickups, and deliveries for all items.
- Service Guarantees: On-time delivery guarantees are suspended until the network stabilizes.
Specific Mail Types:
- Parcels:
- Scheduled pickups begin December 19, but processing may take several days.
- On-demand pickups resume on Monday, December 23.
- Return labels created after October 15 will remain valid for 45 days.
- International Mail:
- Processing of backlog will take priority, with delays into 2025.
- New international mail will be accepted starting December 23.
- Neighbourhood Mail:
- Date-specific Neighbourhood Mail remains unavailable until operations stabilize.
- Transaction Mail:
- Mail trapped in the system will be processed first. New mail will follow as quickly as possible.
Parcel Redirection:
Efforts will be made to fulfill Parcel Redirection requests, but services will remain limited during the stabilization phase.
Canada Post will provide updates as operations progress.
December 16
The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has ruled that Canada Post and CUPW are at an impasse in negotiations, requiring employees to return to work and resume postal operations starting 8 am local time on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Key Details:
- Customer Impact:
Mail and parcels backlogged during the strike will take time to process, causing delays in delivery. New pickups and drop-offs will begin on Thursday, December 19. Updates on timelines and capacity will be provided. - Employee Compensation:
- A 5% wage increase, retroactive to the expiration of previous agreements, will be implemented.
- Retroactive payments will be split: an upfront payment before Christmas ($1,000 for regular employees, $500 for temporary employees) and the remainder by January 31, 2025.
- Extended collective agreements will last until May 22, 2025.
- Commitment to Negotiation:
Canada Post remains focused on achieving agreements that meet the needs of employees and Canadians while adapting to changes in postal service demands. Further updates on operational plans will be posted on the Canada Post website.
December 13
Canada Post is reviewing the details of the Minister of Labour’s recent announcement to ensure full participation and compliance with the directive. While awaiting further steps, Canada Post looks forward to welcoming employees back to work and resuming service to Canadians and customers.
The organization remains committed to reaching negotiated agreements with CUPW that balance serving Canadians’ evolving postal needs and providing quality jobs. Updates on operational start-up plans will be posted on their website once finalized.
December 11
Canada Post has reviewed CUPW’s latest offers, concluding that they are unaffordable and would add over $3 billion in unsustainable costs over four years. The postal service is already facing significant financial losses, recording a seventh consecutive annual loss in 2024, totaling over $3 billion since 2018. CUPW’s demands, including a 19% wage increase over four years and making contracted staff permanent employees, do not align with Canada Post’s need to modernize and remain competitive.
Key issues include:
- Wages: CUPW proposes a 19% increase over four years, while Canada Post offers 11.5%.
- Personal/Medical Days: CUPW demands 10 medical days annually, in addition to the existing seven, while Canada Post offers 13 flexible personal days.
- Permanent Employees: CUPW seeks to make contracted staff permanent, adding further fixed costs.
- Delivery Model: Canada Post proposes flexible staffing and dynamic routing for efficiency and competitiveness, but CUPW has not engaged in these proposals.
Canada Post remains committed to reaching agreements that balance employee needs with operational sustainability.
December 8
Canada Post awaits a formal response from CUPW regarding proposals addressing issues like weekend delivery, pensions, and wages to reach new agreements. While CUPW has publicly shared its views on these proposals, Canada Post emphasizes the need to adhere to the agreed confidential process. The company expresses disagreement with CUPW’s public statements and urges focus on resolving key issues. With the strike entering its fourth week, Canada Post highlights its commitment to fair offers aimed at improving service, growing the parcel business, and protecting employee benefits, while expressing concerns about CUPW’s demands regarding non-bargaining unit workers.
December 1
On December 1, 2024, Canada Post presented the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) with a comprehensive framework aimed at reigniting stalled negotiations. The proposal focuses on increasing flexibility in delivery operations while addressing key union concerns. Canada Post hopes these new proposals, with the assistance of mediators, will help reach an agreement. To maintain the integrity of ongoing negotiations, further details have not been disclosed. Canada Post remains committed to resolving the strike, recognizing its significant impact on employees, customers, and the broader Canadian public.
November 25
As of November 25, 2024, Negotiations continued with Canada Union Postal Workers (CUPW) marking day 11 of the workers’ national strike.
A special mediator came in as a support for this negotiation on November 18th and is still working to find an agreement on changes in the delivery model and more flexible staffing during the week. As the national strike continues, causing greater impact daily at their customers’ expense. Mails and parcels have not been processed or delivered and some post offices remain closed.
How Does This Affect Foreign Residents?
For Foreigners living in Canada, the postal strike can create significant challenges. Delays in processing and delivery can impact their ability to renew immigration documents as your passport or visa application have an expiry date. Residents whom are waiting for their health card may face challenges in accessing health care, or meet legal requirements.
Are you waiting for your visa inside Canada?
Any legal documents relating to the Government of Canada solely rely on Canada Post. These include items such as driver’s licences, passports, visas, and most importantly, health cards. According to CBC news, Canada Post strike leaves foreign nationals stuck in British Columbia waiting for documents from the Government. Many Chinese nationals in Vancouver say they are losing hundreds of dollars per day the longer they wait.
Other Postal Services:
To address this concern, you can still ship your critical documents to the Government via other postal services. Explore your options below:
However, once your application has been approved, the Government will mail your documents via Canada Post, but you may choose to pick up the documents in person.
Resources: UFCW Canada, Canada Post, CBC News
