Parliament gridlock continues amid Canada Post strike
By David Baxter The Canadian Press
Posted November 18, 2024
WATCH: Canada Post strike: Union president addresses public's concerns
Parliament closes in on its eighth week of gridlock over a privilege motion, as Canada Post employees are on strike and calls emerge to exclude Mexico from upcoming trade talks.
While question period has continued, other house business is on hold due to a Conservative privilege motion calling on the government to turn over unredacted documents on a green technology fund.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and some members of his cabinet are not in Ottawa for the first half of the week, as they attend the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2:35
At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Lima, Peru this weekend, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said many nations have been approaching Canada on how to work with the incoming Donald Trump administration in the United States.
The Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement signed during the first Trump presidency is up for review in 2026, and the premiers of Ontario and Alberta say Canada should oust Mexico from the deal over not matching Canadian and American tariffs on imports like electric vehicles. Trudeau says Mexico is a “solid partner,” but acknowledged the concerns.
Meanwhile back in Canada, Canada Post workers hit the picket line Friday, and Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon says that he is ruling out early intervention for now, though he recently ordered binding arbitration in recent job action at ports in Montreal and British Columbia.
By David Baxter The Canadian Press
Posted November 18, 2024
WATCH: Canada Post strike: Union president addresses public's concerns
Parliament closes in on its eighth week of gridlock over a privilege motion, as Canada Post employees are on strike and calls emerge to exclude Mexico from upcoming trade talks.
While question period has continued, other house business is on hold due to a Conservative privilege motion calling on the government to turn over unredacted documents on a green technology fund.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and some members of his cabinet are not in Ottawa for the first half of the week, as they attend the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2:35
As 2025’s G7 host, Trudeau looks to push climate change initiatives and Ukraine support
At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Lima, Peru this weekend, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said many nations have been approaching Canada on how to work with the incoming Donald Trump administration in the United States.
The Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement signed during the first Trump presidency is up for review in 2026, and the premiers of Ontario and Alberta say Canada should oust Mexico from the deal over not matching Canadian and American tariffs on imports like electric vehicles. Trudeau says Mexico is a “solid partner,” but acknowledged the concerns.
Meanwhile back in Canada, Canada Post workers hit the picket line Friday, and Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon says that he is ruling out early intervention for now, though he recently ordered binding arbitration in recent job action at ports in Montreal and British Columbia.
Canada Post says ‘parties remain far apart’ as strike continues
By Saba Aziz
In an interview with Global News on Sunday, Jan Simpson, national president of the CUPW, said she is hopeful that this new round of bargaining this week will lead to the negotiation of two collective agreements for urban operations unit and the rural and suburban mail carriers (RSMC) unit.
“We’re still on the picket lines right now, we’re going to be there, but on Monday, we go back to the table with the new mediator to see what we can do,” she said.
“So hopefully … we’re able to get two collective agreements in place that meet the needs of everyone involved.”
Canada Post has said that no new items will be accepted until the strike ends, but all mail and parcels that are already in the postal network will be secured and delivered on a first-in, first-out basis once the operations resume.
The Crown corporation has also warned that even once the national strike ends, Canadians will continue to experience impact to services.
“Processing and delivery will be challenged going forward due to the impacts of the strike,” Liu said.
1:59 Canada Post strike could mean a difficult holiday season ahead
The disruption comes during the busy holiday shopping season.
Liu said the strike is negatively impacting small businesses, charities and remote communities.
Canada Post’s parcel volumes declined by 42 per cent last week compared to the same week in the previous year.
“With no new parcel volumes in the system over the four days of the national strike, this situation will only worsen,” Liu said.
The federal government has not indicated that it will consider a back-to-work legislation to end the strike, with MacKinnon saying on Friday that he “is not looking at any other solution other than negotiation.”
By Saba Aziz
Global News
Posted November 18, 2024
WATCH Strike could be detrimental to Canada Post as a business
Canada Post and its workers’ union are entering a fresh round of mediated negotiations as a nationwide postal strike enters its fourth day
Both sides return to the bargaining table Monday with a special mediator, Peter Simpson, who was appointed by the federal government last week.
“The focus of the special mediator is for the parties to reach a deal,” Matthieu Perrotin, press secretary for Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, said in a statement to Global News on Monday.
“Canadians are counting on the parties to reach a deal. Negotiated agreements are always the best way forward.”
More than 55,000 Canada Post workers went on strike Friday, halting mail and parcel services across the country. Some post offices have also been shuttered amid the job action.
On Monday, Canada Post said both “parties remain far apart at the table,” but the talks continue and the Crown corporation is committed to reaching new agreements.
“Canada Post supports the appointment of a special mediator by the Minister of Labour as efforts continue to achieve negotiated agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW),” Lisa Liu, a Canada Post spokesperson, told Global News in an emailed statement Monday.
“We remain committed to reaching new agreements at the bargaining table, and not through arbitration. Discussions continue.”
5:28 Retail impacts of Canada Post strike
Posted November 18, 2024
WATCH Strike could be detrimental to Canada Post as a business
Canada Post and its workers’ union are entering a fresh round of mediated negotiations as a nationwide postal strike enters its fourth day
Both sides return to the bargaining table Monday with a special mediator, Peter Simpson, who was appointed by the federal government last week.
“The focus of the special mediator is for the parties to reach a deal,” Matthieu Perrotin, press secretary for Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, said in a statement to Global News on Monday.
“Canadians are counting on the parties to reach a deal. Negotiated agreements are always the best way forward.”
More than 55,000 Canada Post workers went on strike Friday, halting mail and parcel services across the country. Some post offices have also been shuttered amid the job action.
On Monday, Canada Post said both “parties remain far apart at the table,” but the talks continue and the Crown corporation is committed to reaching new agreements.
“Canada Post supports the appointment of a special mediator by the Minister of Labour as efforts continue to achieve negotiated agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW),” Lisa Liu, a Canada Post spokesperson, told Global News in an emailed statement Monday.
“We remain committed to reaching new agreements at the bargaining table, and not through arbitration. Discussions continue.”
5:28 Retail impacts of Canada Post strike
In an interview with Global News on Sunday, Jan Simpson, national president of the CUPW, said she is hopeful that this new round of bargaining this week will lead to the negotiation of two collective agreements for urban operations unit and the rural and suburban mail carriers (RSMC) unit.
“We’re still on the picket lines right now, we’re going to be there, but on Monday, we go back to the table with the new mediator to see what we can do,” she said.
“So hopefully … we’re able to get two collective agreements in place that meet the needs of everyone involved.”
Canada Post has said that no new items will be accepted until the strike ends, but all mail and parcels that are already in the postal network will be secured and delivered on a first-in, first-out basis once the operations resume.
The Crown corporation has also warned that even once the national strike ends, Canadians will continue to experience impact to services.
“Processing and delivery will be challenged going forward due to the impacts of the strike,” Liu said.
1:59 Canada Post strike could mean a difficult holiday season ahead
The disruption comes during the busy holiday shopping season.
Liu said the strike is negatively impacting small businesses, charities and remote communities.
Canada Post’s parcel volumes declined by 42 per cent last week compared to the same week in the previous year.
“With no new parcel volumes in the system over the four days of the national strike, this situation will only worsen,” Liu said.
The federal government has not indicated that it will consider a back-to-work legislation to end the strike, with MacKinnon saying on Friday that he “is not looking at any other solution other than negotiation.”
Federal government says it's making sure both sides have what they need to reach a deal
CBC News · Posted: November 17, 2024
Canada Post strike enters 2nd day, Ottawa says it won’t intervene
2 days ago
Duration3:4
Canada Post stopped delivering mail across the country as of Friday as tens of thousands of postal workers went on strike over wages, working conditions and other issues. On Friday, the federal government said it does not have plans to intervene in the strike.
As the Canada Post strike drags on this weekend, a spokesperson for the federal labour minister says the government is making sure both sides have everything they need to reach a deal.
In a statement sent to CBC News on Saturday, spokesperson Matthieu Perrotin pointed out that Peter Simpson, director general of the federal mediation and conciliation service, had been appointed to support negotiations between Canada Post and the union representing its striking workers
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon initially announced Simpson's appointment on Thursday, before the workers went on strike the next day.
"Parties must reach a deal, and Canadians are counting on them," Perrotin says in the statement. "Negotiated agreements are always the best way forward."
Canada Post workers went on strike early Friday after failing to reach an agreement with their employer, shutting down the corporation's mail service across the country.What impact is the Canada Post strike having on you? What should be done about it? Leave your story, questions and opinions here and we may read them on the Nov. 17 episode of Cross Country Checkup
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says about 55,000 workers in its urban, rural and suburban mail carrier bargaining units are off the job, adding that little progress has been made during bargaining.
As the Canada Post strike drags on this weekend, a spokesperson for the federal labour minister says the government is making sure both sides have everything they need to reach a deal.
In a statement sent to CBC News on Saturday, spokesperson Matthieu Perrotin pointed out that Peter Simpson, director general of the federal mediation and conciliation service, had been appointed to support negotiations between Canada Post and the union representing its striking workers
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon initially announced Simpson's appointment on Thursday, before the workers went on strike the next day.
"Parties must reach a deal, and Canadians are counting on them," Perrotin says in the statement. "Negotiated agreements are always the best way forward."
Canada Post workers went on strike early Friday after failing to reach an agreement with their employer, shutting down the corporation's mail service across the country.What impact is the Canada Post strike having on you? What should be done about it? Leave your story, questions and opinions here and we may read them on the Nov. 17 episode of Cross Country Checkup
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says about 55,000 workers in its urban, rural and suburban mail carrier bargaining units are off the job, adding that little progress has been made during bargaining.
Striking Canada Post workers walk the picket line outside a Toronto sorting facility on Friday. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
"Canada Post had the opportunity to prevent this strike, but it has refused to negotiate real solutions to the issues postal workers face every day," the union said in a statement.
"Instead, Canada Post left us no choice when it threatened to change our working conditions and leave our members exposed to layoffs."
Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered during the strike, and some post offices will be closed, according to the Crown corporation. Service guarantees will be affected for items already in the postal network, and no new items will be accepted.
"Canada Post had the opportunity to prevent this strike, but it has refused to negotiate real solutions to the issues postal workers face every day," the union said in a statement.
"Instead, Canada Post left us no choice when it threatened to change our working conditions and leave our members exposed to layoffs."
Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered during the strike, and some post offices will be closed, according to the Crown corporation. Service guarantees will be affected for items already in the postal network, and no new items will be accepted.
With Canada Post strike underway, small business owners scramble to make other arrangements
The two sides began talks toward a new contract on Nov. 15, 2023.
Canada Post's latest contract offer included annual wage increases that amounted to 11.5 per cent over four years. It also offered protection of the defined benefit pension for current employees, as well as job security and health benefits.
WATCH | Is a shift in Canada Post's business model necessary?:
In wake of strike, is a shift in Canada Post’s business model necessary?
The two sides began talks toward a new contract on Nov. 15, 2023.
Canada Post's latest contract offer included annual wage increases that amounted to 11.5 per cent over four years. It also offered protection of the defined benefit pension for current employees, as well as job security and health benefits.
WATCH | Is a shift in Canada Post's business model necessary?:
In wake of strike, is a shift in Canada Post’s business model necessary?
| Canada Tonight
3 days ago
3 days ago
Duration5:04
Canada Post workers went on strike early Friday after the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said little progress was made during bargaining. York University labour expert Steven Tufts says CUPW has not built the large-scale public campaign needed to pressure Canada Post into changing its business model, despite knowing that Canada Post is struggling financially.
CUPW said that wasn't enough and that the two parties remain far apart on several issues.
Canada Post says it has lost $490 million in the first half of 2024, part of a total $3 billion lost since 2018. The company says a strike will only further contribute to its already dire financial circumstances and that the union's demands will lead to more fixed costs that Canada Post can't afford.
"Both sides are still working towards achieving negotiated settlements and discussions will continue," Canada Post said in a statement on Saturday.
'Pressure is going to become more and more intense'
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon signalled that the Liberal government is not currently looking to intervene and end the strike, saying Friday that he is "not looking at any other solution other than negotiation right now."
Ian Lee, an associate professor at Carleton University's Sprott School of Business, said there is "a precedent" for the federal government to legislate striking Canada Post workers back to work and that the likelihood of it happening again rises as the job action drags on and third parties call on Ottawa to act.
"I think day by day by day, the pressures on the minister of labour and the government — [from] mayors, MPs, chambers of commerce, Canadian Federation of Independent Business — the pressure is going to become more and more intense," Lee told CBC News.
WATCH | Prolonged Canada Post strike would be 'devastating' for seniors, advocate says:
Prolonged Canada Post strike would leave seniors ‘vulnerable,’ advocate says
2 days ago
Duration5:47
CUPW said that wasn't enough and that the two parties remain far apart on several issues.
Canada Post says it has lost $490 million in the first half of 2024, part of a total $3 billion lost since 2018. The company says a strike will only further contribute to its already dire financial circumstances and that the union's demands will lead to more fixed costs that Canada Post can't afford.
"Both sides are still working towards achieving negotiated settlements and discussions will continue," Canada Post said in a statement on Saturday.
'Pressure is going to become more and more intense'
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon signalled that the Liberal government is not currently looking to intervene and end the strike, saying Friday that he is "not looking at any other solution other than negotiation right now."
Ian Lee, an associate professor at Carleton University's Sprott School of Business, said there is "a precedent" for the federal government to legislate striking Canada Post workers back to work and that the likelihood of it happening again rises as the job action drags on and third parties call on Ottawa to act.
"I think day by day by day, the pressures on the minister of labour and the government — [from] mayors, MPs, chambers of commerce, Canadian Federation of Independent Business — the pressure is going to become more and more intense," Lee told CBC News.
WATCH | Prolonged Canada Post strike would be 'devastating' for seniors, advocate says:
Prolonged Canada Post strike would leave seniors ‘vulnerable,’ advocate says
2 days ago
Duration5:47
On the second day of the Canada Post strike, the founder and CEO of CanAge, Laura Tamblyn Watts, warns about the ‘devastating’ effect the strike could have on seniors if it goes on for several days or weeks. Watts says seniors overwhelmingly rely on mail for receiving bills and medical prescriptions.
Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said the postal strike is "really bad timing" for small businesses with Christmas and Black Friday around the corner.
The strike has forced Kim Dowds, an Ontario-based small business owner who sells items online from estate sales, to pivot.
Dowds said she'll have to stick to selling smaller items from her online shop, The Red Rooster, because shipping larger orders through private couriers will be too expensive.
Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said the postal strike is "really bad timing" for small businesses with Christmas and Black Friday around the corner.
The strike has forced Kim Dowds, an Ontario-based small business owner who sells items online from estate sales, to pivot.
Dowds said she'll have to stick to selling smaller items from her online shop, The Red Rooster, because shipping larger orders through private couriers will be too expensive.
"I'm going to have to adjust and not sell the big stuff. And the big stuff is sometimes where the money is, right?"
She said she knows some other small business owners in rural or remote areas who will have to put deliveries on hold entirely.
"Because Canada Post is the only game in town, they're going to have to pause during the most important time of the year for selling."
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