In Canada, shipping goods is the lifeblood of e-commerce, small business, and national trade. Whether you’re sending handcrafted goods from Toronto to Vancouver or fulfilling orders from a Shopify store to customers across the country, reliable delivery is non-negotiable. But what happens when that reliability is compromised by labour disruptions?
In 2025, Canada Post—the country’s primary mail and parcel delivery service—has been rocked by a series of strikes that have left businesses scrambling. For entrepreneurs, retailers, and logistics managers, understanding the ripple effects of these strikes is essential to staying resilient.
The 2025 Canada Post Strike: What Happened?
On September 25, 2025, over 55,000 Canada Post workers walked off the job in a national strike. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) launched the action in response to federal reforms aimed at phasing out door-to-door delivery, consolidating services into community mailboxes, and cutting costs amid mounting financial losses.
The strike halted nearly all mail and parcel delivery across the country. Although a rotating strike format resumed in October, service remains inconsistent. Canada Post has suspended all service guarantees, and delays are expected to persist for weeks.
How Strikes Disrupt Canadian Shipping
1. Delayed Deliveries and Lost Revenue When Canada Post halts operations, businesses lose their most affordable and widespread delivery option. For small businesses, this means:
- Missed customer deadlines
- Refund requests and chargebacks
- Damaged brand reputation
A print shop in British Columbia reported losing revenue because it couldn’t ship art prints or greeting cards. A plant nursery in Alberta warned that live plants were dying in transit due to delays.
2. Increased Costs from Private Couriers With Canada Post offline, many businesses turn to private carriers like FedEx or UPS. But these services often come at a premium—especially for rural deliveries or bulky items. Some companies report paying double just to ensure timely delivery.
3. Disrupted Cross-Border Trade U.S. businesses shipping into Canada also feel the pinch. Canada Post plays a key role in last-mile delivery for many international shipments. When it’s down, packages get stuck at customs or rerouted, causing confusion and customer dissatisfaction.
4. Erosion of Customer Trust Inconsistent delivery timelines can lead to negative reviews, lost repeat business, and a drop in customer loyalty. For e-commerce brands, especially those scaling up, this can be devastating.
What You Can Do: Strategies for Resilience
1. Diversify Your Carriers Don’t rely solely on Canada Post. Build relationships with multiple couriers and integrate them into your shipping platform. Services like Stallion Express, Chit Chats, and netParcel offer discounted rates and can help you pivot quickly.
2. Communicate Proactively with Customers Update your website and checkout pages with clear shipping notices. Let customers know about potential delays and offer tracking updates. Transparency builds trust—even when things go wrong.
3. Offer Local Pickup or Delivery If you’re based in a city like Toronto, consider offering curbside pickup or local delivery through services like Trexity or Uber Direct. This keeps orders moving even when national networks stall.
4. Reassess Your Fulfillment Strategy If you’re fulfilling orders in-house, consider third-party logistics (3PL) partners who can ship from multiple hubs. This reduces your dependence on any single carrier or region.
5. Advocate for Change Join industry groups like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) to voice your concerns. The CFIB reports that nearly 73% of small businesses plan to reduce their use of Canada Post due to ongoing disruptions.
Final Thoughts: Shipping Smarter in Uncertain Times
Strikes are a reality of labour relations, but their impact on shipping in Canada is profound. For small businesses, the key is to stay agile. Build redundancy into your logistics, communicate clearly with customers, and explore alternative delivery models.
The 2025 Canada Post strike is a wake-up call. It’s not just about mail—it’s about the future of how Canadians do business. Whether you’re shipping safety gear, artisan goods, or essential supplies, your ability to adapt will define your success.
