Question Period Note: Canada Post Strike – September 26, 2025

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have been negotiating new collective agreements for more than one year. The collective agreements expired on May 22, 2025.

The union representing Canada Post workers said its members would immediately go on strike after the federal government announced a broad overhaul of the beleaguered Crown corporation, including an end to door-to-door delivery.

Ottawa had said that Canada Post would have 45 days from Thursday to present a plan to the government on how it would alter the postal service based on these directives. A new collective bargaining agreement has still not been finalized.

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Service Canada has taken steps to ensure the continued payment of benefits and the issuance of passports to Canadians in the event of a postal strike.

Canada Post and the union have agreed to continue to deliver pension and Canada Disability Benefit cheques across Canada, and to deliver Employment Insurance cheques to clients living in Northern Canada and remote regions of Canada.

Individuals are strongly encouraged to opt for direct deposit services or contact Service Canada if they have any issue regarding receiving their payment.

Regarding Passports, Service Canada will continue to process applications, print passports and have them delivered through an alternate home delivery service.

If Pressed (Employment Insurance)

Service Canada has made arrangements with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to issue EI cheques using Purolator Courier Services to claimants who contact Service Canada, are unable to receive their payment by direct deposit, and/or express financial need.

All outgoing EI (e.g. decision letters, personal access codes for My Service Canada Account (MSCA), etc.) related mail has been suspended until Canada Post services resume.

If Pressed (Pensions)

Service Canada had made arrangements with Canada Post in the event of a Canada Post strike, to have pensions cheques delivered to clients. Old Age Security (OAS), the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) September cheque payments were delivered to clients on or before September 24th, 2025.

The Department is working with PSPC and Canada Post to ensure the delivery of October and November cheque payments to clients, should the strike continue.

All outgoing OAS, CPP and CPPD (e.g. notices of entitlement to benefits, return of incomplete applications, personal access codes for My Service Canada Account (MSCA), etc.) related mail have been suspended until Canada Post services resume.

If Pressed (Passport)

Service Canada continues to process passport applications, print passports and, while the union is in strike position, have them delivered through an alternative home delivery service where possible.

Service Canada has procedures in place to support clients impacted by the postal disruption.

If Pressed (Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

Canadians who recently applied for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) are strongly encouraged to sign up for MSCA where they can obtain their determination letters or contact Service Canada to receive this information over the phone.

CDCP members can use their determination letters to access oral health care, they do not need to wait to receive their physical CDCP member card.

Members can also register to the Sun Life member portal to access their coverage details and a printable CDCP member card.

If Pressed (Canada Disability Benefit)

Clients who currently receive CDB benefits by cheque are strongly encouraged to sign up for direct deposit by October 6, 2025 to avoid delays for the October CDB payment. An agreement has been reached with Canada Post to continue to deliver paper cheques to CDB clients, however delays are anticipated.

On September 25, 2025, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Joël Lightbound, detailed several changes to Canada Post. The Minister authorized the end to home delivery, lifted the moratorium on closing rural post offices, and changed the approach for non-urgent mail delivery to move from air to ground.

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced on September 25, 2025, that they will be on a nationwide strike effective immediately.

The CUPW advised that some essential services would be maintained, including the delivery of pension cheques.

Service Canada is using its regular communication channels and In-Person/call centres to support clients affected by the Canada Post strike and to provide information on available service alternatives.

Recent Strike Action/Negotiations

On April 29, 2025, Canada Post and CUPW agreed to resume negotiations with the support a mediator. The existing collective agreements between Canada Post and CUPW expired on May 22, 2025.

On May 19, 2025, CUPW issued a 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post. To date, there are no rotating strikes or national work stoppages, however CUPW has implemented a national overtime ban.

With Canada Post on strike, the service delivery of important Canadian programs such as Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement, Canada Pension Plan/Canada Pension Plan-Disability, Employment Insurance, Canada Disability Benefit and Passports may be impacted.

Close to 98% of all Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance recipients, and 86% of Canada Disability Benefit recipients receive their payments through direct deposit.

An average of approximately 80% of applicants receive their passport by mail every month.