The federal minister responsible for Canada Post met Wednesday evening with representatives from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), marking the first direct discussions between the two sides since the start of the nationwide strike.
The meeting, held in Ottawa, brought together Minister Joël Lightbound, members of CUPW’s National Executive Board, and its negotiating committee. It followed nearly two weeks of halted postal service across Canada as both sides remain at odds over proposed government reforms and unresolved contract issues.
Union officials entered the meeting insisting that the government reverse its recently announced plans to overhaul Canada Post. Announced on Sept. 25, those reforms include the gradual end of door-to-door mail delivery and the expansion of community mailboxes – changes CUPW says will eliminate thousands of good jobs and erode public service. The union also raised concerns over corporate governance at the Crown corporation, citing years of what it describes as poor management decisions and conflicts of interest related to Purolator, a Canada Post-owned courier subsidiary.
For its part, the federal government has maintained that modernization is necessary to ensure the long-term financial health of Canada Post amid declining letter volumes and growing parcel demand. Officials have said they are seeking a fair and sustainable agreement that balances public service with economic realities.
As of Thursday morning, neither the government nor CUPW had released any details about the outcome of the meeting. The union has indicated that strike action will continue until meaningful progress is made at the bargaining table.
The walkout, now in its third week, has brought nearly all postal operations to a standstill. Mail and parcels are not being processed or delivered, and most post offices remain closed. Prior to the full work stoppage, CUPW had already implemented overtime bans and suspended delivery of unaddressed advertising mail.
Business groups and charitable organizations have warned of growing disruptions, especially for small businesses and nonprofits that rely heavily on mail and parcel delivery. Within hours of the strike call, the Canadian Stamp Dealers’ Association (CSDA) issued letters to government, Canada Post, and union leaders urging a swift resolution, noting the severe impact on dealers and collectors who depend on postal service for their businesses and hobby activities. Political leaders across party lines have likewise called for both sides to return to negotiations and reach a fair, timely settlement.
While this week’s meeting signaled a possible shift toward renewed dialogue, no breakthrough has yet been reported, and nationwide strike action continues.