A striking Canada Post worker holds a heart-shaped sign that reads in French 'I love my public postal service' as employees picket outside a post office in Rimouski, Que. (Pier-Olivier Busque/Radio-Canada)
As of Friday morning, Canada Post workers have gone on strike, leaving small business owners across the country scrambling for alternatives during the critical holiday season.
Sterling Slingerland, who runs Sterling's Suncatchers in Oshawa, Ontario, is among those affected. His online gift shop, which sells handmade suncatchers, hats, stickers, and commissioned artwork, has halted online shipping. For now, local customers must pick up their orders in person.
However, most of Slingerland’s customers are in the United States, making the disruption especially challenging. "I've always relied on Canada Post—they’re nearby, and I know the staff personally," he shared. "I fully support the postal workers striking; they deserve fair pay with the cost of living rising."
Slingerland has avoided using private courier services like UPS or FedEx, citing their higher costs and lack of familiarity. Canada Post’s small business discounts and direct pick-up services have been vital for him, particularly because of his disability. While he’s willing to consider alternatives if the strike continues, he finds the prospect daunting. “Even $3 or $4 more per package adds up quickly,” he noted.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has called on the federal government to intervene, suggesting measures like binding arbitration or back-to-work legislation. However, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon stated that the government is currently focused on resolving the dispute through negotiation. CFIB Executive Vice-President Corinne Pohlmann expressed disappointment, emphasizing the urgency for a solution during this busy season.
According to CFIB, about 80% of small businesses rely on Canada Post for shipping and essential services like invoicing and payments. For many, there’s no viable alternative.
"Letter mail is irreplaceable, and most of our shipping falls into that category," said Rémi Vienneau LeClair, owner of Comic Hunter in Moncton, New Brunswick. “Asking customers to pay $20 instead of $2 for shipping isn’t really a solution.”
Some businesses are already bracing for significant losses. Don McCowan, owner of Wheels and Wings Hobbies in Toronto, estimates that a strike could cost his store $60,000 per month. “Forty-five percent of our business relies on Canada Post. If that stops, it impacts our ability to cover overhead,” he explained. Like others, McCowan is exploring alternatives but worries about higher courier costs cutting into profits.
The strike has also gained support from other unions. Teamsters Canada announced that its Purolator workers would not handle packages originating from Canada Post. Christopher Monette, a spokesperson for the union, expressed solidarity with the striking postal workers, emphasizing the importance of good union jobs in Canada.
