Canada Post Strike: What It Means For Your Business

Update: Starting October 11 at 6 AM local time, Canada Post employees will move from a nation-wide strike action to rotating strikes.

On September 25, 2025, the government announced major reforms to Canada Post, acknowledging the corporation’s financial crisis and need for transformation. In response to the government announcement, CUPW, the union representing Canda Post workers, announced an immediate national strike, which has become a rotating strike.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is urging Ottawa to step in immediately to end the ongoing strike actions and push forward with the announced reforms. SMEs broadly support reforms at Canada Post. Read more in CFIB’s latest report.

Many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) depend on the postal system to ship goods, send marketing materials to consumers, send invoices, and receive payments from suppliers and customers. Canada Post services must be reliable and predictable once again.

What small business told CFIB about the 2024 Canada Post strike:

Over 75% of small firms reported they were negatively affected, particularly with challenges to cash flow due to delayed invoices and cheques and higher cost delivery alternatives.
13% of small businesses have stopped using Canada Post since the last strike. Nearly two-thirds stated they would do the same if there was another strike.

What the September 25 Canada Post Reform Announcement Means

The federal government has officially instructed Canada Post to begin a sweeping transformation in response to its mounting losses and declining volumes. The plan includes:

Adjusting service delivery standards for non-urgent mail to allow it to move by ground rather than air,
Hiring part-time employees for weekend deliveries,
Lifting the moratorium on community mailbox conversions (shifting more homes away from door-to-door service),
Modernizing rural post offices in suburban and urban areas, and
Shortening and simplifying the process for stamp rate increases, which could lead to higher postage costs

In response to the government announcement, CUPW, the union representing Canda Post workers, announced an immediate national strike. CFIB is urging the federal government to immediately end the Canada Post strike.

Canada Post Strike: What It Means For Your Business

Impacted by the Canada Post strike?

What the September 25 Canada Post Reform Announcement Means

CFIB's advocacy efforts

For more information, check out these resources:

Canada Post Service, Disruptions and Reform

Nearly nine in 10 small businesses want reforms to Canada Post

Canada Post risks losing nearly two-thirds of small business customers if the strike continues

Nearly two in three small businesses may permanently drop Canada Post if strike resumes following vote

CFIB urges parties to avoid another unnecessary Canada Post strike

Three-quarters of small businesses to use Canada Post less in future as the strike impact grows to $1.6 billion

Canada Post strike costs Canadian small businesses $76 million per day

Canada Post workers have been striking for a week: Time for government to intervene

CFIB Statement on Canada Post Disruption to Small Business Ahead of Holiday Season

More incentives for unions to go on strikes with Bill C-58

Ban on replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces during a strike or a lockout

Ban on replacement workers is a threat to small businesses and the economy

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