Canada Post flyer delivery halt impacting Winnipeg businesses

Canada Post workers are no longer delivering flyers as part of its ongoing job action. CTV’s Jeff Keele shares the impact it’s having on local businesses.

Canada Post workers have stopped delivering flyers across the country, a move that is preventing some small businesses in Winnipeg from drawing in customers.

When Ishan Singla took over The Pizza Oven on Henderson Highway two years ago, he used flyers to get the word out. They let customers know the address, menu, and what deals are being dished out.

He estimates 20 per cent of customers come in for a pizza slice because of the notices.

“So definitely our business did pick up once we sent out the flyers,” Singla said.

Flyer delivery has stopped as part of a job action related to the ongoing labour dispute between the union and the Crown corporation.

It’s leaving small businesses like The Pizza Oven caught in the middle.

“Which is causing us like disruption in our advertisement,” Singla said.

It’s not just food establishments who rely on mailouts.

Re/Max real estate agent Stacey Burrows uses post cards to sell her business.

“I would suggest probably initially half of my businesses was built because of these,” Burrows said. Canada Post also delivers the cards.

“I’m hoping that at this point in my businesses I’ve got enough of a foundation that through referrals and what not that I’m able to keep my name out there, but I do think it will have a big impact,” she said.

And for some, their local news delivery could be interrupted. Community newspapers fall in the same category as flyers. They contain news stories, ads, and public service announcements.

“Both parties are treating community newspapers like junk mail, and we are not junk mail,” said Mark Buss, president of Clipper Publishing and the Manitoba Community Newspaper Association. “(It’s) fact-based research, journalism and information that people need.”

The union has said the decision not to deliver flyers is an attempt to get Canada Post back to the bargaining table. Canada Post said it is disappointed with the move and urges the union to come back with “workable solutions.”