As the Canada Post dispute wears on, here's what the labour minister says about Christmas deliveries

The Canada Post labour dispute has now passed the four-week mark, and as Christmas draws near, some may be anxious about delayed or cancelled shipments affecting their holiday shopping.

At a press conference Friday, federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the government would intervene in the ongoing strike amid stalled negotiations. When the time came for questions from reporters, it appears one particular issue was top-of-mind: for those who celebrate, will Canadians' Christmas gifts arrive on time?

"I am a father; I am well aware of the hopes of Canadian families and children,” was the minister's reply, translated from the original French. “I would be lying if I said that this wasn't a consideration for me.”

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MacKinnon said the decision of whether to force an end to the strike would come soon, after an independent organization has heard from both Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

"There needs to be an agreement reached and activities need to resume at Canada Post," he said, also in French. "If that can be done, and be done quickly … I hope that activities will resume early next week."

With a shipping backlog from close to a month of strike activity already accumulating, it's not immediately clear when parcels and letters — holiday-related or not — will return to regular schedules. MacKinnon did not directly confirm whether a forced end to the present strike would come soon enough to allow holiday packages to arrive in time.