CFIB statement on the pause in strike action at Canada Post

Toronto, December 13, 2024 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is relieved to learn the government is finally taking action to get Canada Post workers back on the job. It appears the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) will have 72 hours to do its work before issuing a back to work order on Monday. This means Canada Post workers would be back on the job sometime next week at the earliest. 

This will be too late to salvage any of the Christmas holiday season for small businesses. With a massive backlog, it will be nearly impossible for any new shipments to make it to Canadians before Christmas through Canada Post. But the temporary order will help businesses that are desperately waiting for cheque-based payments from other business customers. Millions of dollars have been frozen in the mail making it difficult for small firms to pay their bills. 

The cost of the strike to small business has been profound. CFIB estimates small firms have been losing $100 million per day with total damage of $1.6 billion since the strike began. Nearly three-quarters of small firms report they will reduce their dependence on Canada Post going forward, making it even more challenging for the corporation to operate in the future.

We can't keep doing this. Canada Post needs massive reforms to ensure that even basic services to all Canadians can continue. And we need a better process to resolve major labour disputes among our key supply chain players like ports, railways and Canada Post.

-    Dan Kelly, President, CFIB

For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, CFIB
647-464-2814
public.affairs@cfib.ca 

About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.