What is still being delivered? What to know about the Canada Post strike

With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail.

In certain cases, some essential deliveries are still being delivered and some locations are open.

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About 55,000 unionized postal workers went on a nationwide strike on Nov. 15, after about a year of bargaining failed to reach an agreement.

As of Dec. 5, Canada Post and the union appeared closer to resuming negotiations.

Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions about the postal workers' strike.

What is still being delivered?

Most mail and parcels won’t be delivered or collected during the labour disruption, according to Canada Post.

Exceptions are being made for government pension and federal financial aid cheques, including Old Age Security.

Service Canada has recommended setting up direct deposits to ensure those funds arrive without delay. 

Banks have made similar recommendations to customers when it comes to billing and other communications.

And some provincial financial assistance cheques, such as food or housing assistance delivered through Ontario Works, are not being delivered by mail during the strike.

Additionally, an exception has been made for deliveries of live animals and other living creatures, which can only be mailed in certain conditions.

As well, no new items will be accepted until the strike is over except for parcel returns. Canada Post said services to remote and northern regions that heavily rely on the mail service are shut down.

Are postal workers still on strike?

About 55,000 Canada Post workers went on strike on Nov. 15 after both sides failed to reach a negotiated agreement. They remain on strike as of the second week of December.

Are post offices closed?

Some post offices are closed. Visit the Canada Post website or call ahead to find out which ones are open.

Post offices staffed by employees who are part of a different bargaining group or located at dealer locations are staying open during the strike, offering limited services such as carded item delivery and money orders, according to Canada Post.

Santa letter deadline removed

Canada Post initially imposed a deadline of Dec. 5 for children to submit their letters to Santa. It has since removed that deadline and said it plans to ensure all letters receive a reply from the North Pole once operations resume.

What will happen while the strike is on?

Canada Post said it would continue operating and maintaining service if there are rotating strikes as negotiations continue. However, mail won't be delivered and service guarantees are affected for items already in the postal network.

All mail and parcels will be "secured and delivered" as fast as possible on a first-in, first-out basis once operations resume, according to Canada Post.

How long will the delivery delays last?

It is uncertain how long delivery delays will go on, but Canada Post warned that service will be affected well past the end of the strike.

Processing and delivery may take time to fully return to normal, it said.

Impact on orders from small businesses

The impact on orders placed with small businesses will depend on which courier service a business uses. Those using other couriers, such as FedEx, won't face the same uncertainty, but The Canadian Press reported it could be more expensive.

According to CP, Bookbinder said retailers will likely pay 30 to 40 per cent more to use alternative shippers, which means customers may be charged more. Still, businesses may try to absorb the extra expenses instead of increasing prices for customers, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

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What about bank statements?

Several Canadian banks are urging customers to switch to online statements and e-banking to stay on top of their statements, bills and other banking communications.

For example, CIBC said customers are required to make regular payments and meet financial obligations on credit cards, loans and mortgages even if the postal disruption happens. Other banks, including Bank of Montreal and Scotiabank have issued similar statements.

With files from The Canadian Press