What the Canada Post strike means for your passports, pension cheques and more

A Canada Post mail carrier delivers packages on their route in Montreal on Wednesday, Nov.13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

OTTAWA — OTTAWA — With Canada Post workers hitting picket lines, the flow of mail across the country has stopped.

Here’s what the move means for items you may have been expecting in your mailbox.

Mail delivery

Canada Post says mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered during the strike and some post offices will be closed. It has also suspended service guarantees for items already in the postal network and will not accept new items until the labour disruption is over.

Passports

The federal government is encouraging people applying for passports to use couriers other than Canada Post, if they are applying for their travel document by mail. They say applicants can also visit a Service Canada Centre or passport office to begin the process.

For people who have already applied for passports, the website says the government will make deliveries through another courier. It warns some delays may occur.

Benefits

Canada Post says the striking Canadian Union of Postal Workers has agreed to continue the delivery of socio-economic cheques during the labour disruption.

The postal service says this will ensure government financial assistance typically delivered by mail will reach seniors and other Canadians.

Bank statements, bills and debit and credit cards

Many of Canada’s major banks have messages on their websites reminding anyone who receives statements and bills through the mail that they can access those documents or make payments on the bank’s website.

Several have encouraged anyone needing a new debit or credit card to visit a branch.

Live animals

Canada Post says it has a process is in place to ensure live animal shipments already placed continue during the labour disruption, but no further ones will be accepted.

Purolator

The courier service is owned in part by the Canada Post Group of Companies but says it is fully operational and is not cancelling any deliveries. Should the company experience any disruptions, it says it will prioritize Purolator Express and healthcare deliveries.

Amazon

The tech giant uses a range of carriers to get orders to Canadians. Canada Post delivers only a small percentage of orders in the country, spokesperson Kristin Gable said in an email Friday.

The company is reaching out to customers about orders that may be affected by the Canada Post strike and encouraging those using a P.O. box to switch to door delivery service provided by alternative carriers, in regions where this is possible, or to make use of Amazon pickup points.

For customers living in rural or remote communities that are only serviced by Canada Post, or who can only use a P.O. box for deliveries, Gable says Amazon will be in touch. She adds customers are encouraged to reach out to Amazon customer service with any questions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2025.