Canada Post Strike 2025: Dates, Duration & Alternatives

When Did the Canada Post Strike Start?

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has launched a national strike effective today, September 26, 2025, following a federal announcement that lifts the moratorium on community mailbox conversions and authorizes additional cost-saving reforms at Canada Post.

Canada Post has confirmed a full operational pause: no new items accepted, and deliveries and processing are suspended for the duration of the strike.

The reforms come amid sustained losses: Canada Post reported $407M pre-tax loss in Q2 2025 and significantly higher first-half losses than 2024.

How Long will the Canada Post Strike Last?

Short answer: no one knows yet. The duration hinges on bargaining progress and whether Ottawa or the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) steps in again. CUPW has called a nationwide strike in response to government-announced reforms. Canada Post says no new mail or parcels will be accepted and processing/delivery are paused, which raises pressure for a quicker resolution.

Past strikes offer clues:

• In late 2024, a nationwide stoppage lasted almost a month before the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered workers back.
• In 2018, Ottawa passed emergency legislation to end rotating strikes.

Given these precedents, businesses should plan for at least 3–4 weeks of disruption plus extended backlogs after operations resume. Which unfortionately for Merchants, aligns perfectly with the arrival of Peak Season.

What are some Canada Post Alternatives?

During a shutdown, a multi-carrier approach keeps orders flowing. With Easyship, instantly compare services, delivery times, and rates across multiple carriers and print labels in one dashboard.

Here are some recommended Canada Post Alternatives (Domestic & Cross-Border):

• UPS: Reliable ground and express nationwide shipping with strong cross-border capabilities
• Purolator: Fast national delivery with strong business coverage and attractive rates
• Canpar: Cost-effective domestic ground shipping services for most package weights
• DHL Express: High quality, time-definite international shipping for global reach and network
• Sendle / UniUni: Budget-friendly small package delivery options for eCommerce

These carriers operate independently of Canada Post and remain available during postal strikes.

While the Canada Post strikes have presented a significant challenge for brands over the past 12 months, Easyship has helped tens of thousands of Canadian eCommerce sellers to improve their shipping operations, compare multiple Canada Post competitors, and find the cheapest available rates for their online orders. Try Easyship for free today.

By understanding the situation, using alternative carriers, and staying informed, sellers can keep their operations running smoothly and maintain customer trust during periods of disruption.

How To Ship To & From Canada During The Strike?

If Canada Post services are disrupted, use these strategies to ship to Canada or within the country:

• Enable Multi-Carrier Shipping: Compare real-time rates & ETAs across 550+ services; switch carriers automatically when one is down.
• Diversify at Checkout: Offer economy/standard/express choices from multiple couriers to spread risk.
• Proactive Comms: Update handling times, surface realistic ETAs, and push tracking notifications.
• Segment by Lane:
  
  • Domestic: UPS, Purolator, Canpar, Sendle/UniUni.
  • US/International: UPS Worldwide, DHL Express.
• Returns & CS: Pre-authorize alternative return labels; publish a strike FAQ on your store.
• Warehouse Ops: Stagger pickups across carriers; pack FIFO to avoid compounding backlogs.

Communicate Proactively

Keep customers informed of any delays, provide tracking updates (also available inside Easyship's platform), and update expected delivery times to manage expectations.

A Look Back at Past Canada Post Strikes

Canada Post has a long history of labour disruptions, with several major strikes shaping how businesses plan their shipping strategies:

• 2024 Strike: Lasted nearly a month (Nov–Dec), halting mail and parcel delivery during the peak holiday season. Operations only resumed after the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered employees back to work, but backlogs delayed shipments well into the new year.
• 2018 Strike: Featured rotating walkouts that dragged on for weeks. Parliament passed Bill C-89, legislation that forced postal workers back and established mediation-arbitration to resolve disputes. This move was controversial, with critics saying it infringed on workers’ right to strike.
• Earlier Strikes: CUPW-led walkouts have occurred multiple times since the 1960s, often tied to demands around wages, working conditions, and job security. These disruptions have underscored the need for contingency plans in Canada’s logistics sector.

Takeaway: History shows that strikes often last several weeks and usually end only with government intervention. For businesses, this reinforces the importance of a multi-carrier strategy to avoid being left without shipping options.

Recommended Actions for eCommerce Sellers

If your business depends on a single carrier like Canada Post, it’s time to act. Adapting to a multi-carrier shipping strategy can help minimize the impact on operations and keep customers satisfied, no matter if its strike action, bad weather or other unforeseen delivery issues which are commonplace.

An all-in-one shipping software like Easyship allows you to effortlessly compare shipping costs and delivery timelines to always select the best option and keep your customers happy.

Updated Shipping Strategy: Steps to Take In 2025:

• ‍Multi-Carrier Shipping Software: Easyship allows you to effortlessly compare rates and delivery timelines to always select the best option and keep your customers happy.
• Diversify Your Carrier Mix: With Easyship, you can access discounted rates on Canada Post and all the top courier alternatives like UPS, Purolator, Sendle, and Canpar.‍
• Extend Handling Times: Update your store settings to reflect longer delivery timelines. This helps manage buyer expectations. This is particularly true as the backlog is still not cleared following the strike. ‍
• Proactively Communicate With Customers: It's always best to be open and transparent with customers to inform them of the likely impact in the event of future strike action.

Looking for more Canadian shipping options?

We’re here to help.

Take care of your holiday shipping with Easyship’s all-in-one shipping platform:

• Instant access to exclusive discounted shipping rates up to 91% off.
• Effortlessly compare more than 550+ courier services globally.
• Automatically sync orders with Shopify, eBay and 60+ eCommerce integrations.
• Generate all shipping documents, manage orders, and print labels in bulk.
• Automatic tax and duty calculation for 220+ countries worldwide.
• Install real-time shipping rates at checkout to increase conversion by up to 3X

Ready to get started? Try Easyship for free today.

2025 Canada Post Strike FAQs

Is Canada Post on strike right now? 

Yes. As of September 26, 2025, unionized postal workers represented by CUPW are on a nationwide strike, halting all regular mail and parcel services.

When did the Canada Post strike start? 

The current strike began on September 26, 2025, following the federal government’s announcement of major reforms to Canada Post, including phasing out home delivery.

How long will the Canada Post strike last? 

There’s no confirmed end date. Past strikes lasted several weeks and often required government or labour board intervention. Expect at least 3–4 weeks of disruption plus post-strike backlogs.

Why are Canada Post workers on strike? 

CUPW launched the strike after being caught off guard by reforms that will end most door-to-door delivery, close some rural outlets, and introduce new cost-saving measures amid steep financial losses at Canada Post.

Are Canada Post deliveries happening during the strike? 

No. All mail and parcels are paused. Service guarantees are suspended. Only limited exceptions apply: government benefit cheques and live animals will still be delivered.

What’s the latest Canada Post strike update today? 

As of today, CUPW has confirmed all 55,000 postal workers are off the job. Canada Post says no new shipments will be accepted until the strike ends. Negotiations remain stalled.

Is Purolator on strike too?

No. Purolator, UPS, Canpar, DHL Express, Sendle, and other private couriers are not affected by the Canada Post strike. These are strong alternatives for businesses and individuals.

Where can I find more updates on the Canada Post strike?

Check trusted sources like CBC News, Canada Post’s official site, or CUPW updates. For shipping alternatives, explore Easyship’s rate comparison tool.