Question Period Note: CANADA POST STRIKE: SERVICE DELIVERY IMPACTS

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have been negotiating new collective agreements for more than one year. On November 15, 2024, the employees went on strike, and, on December 17, 2025, the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered the employees back to work and to resume postal operations.
Negotiations in January and February 2025 between Canada Post and CUPW were mediated by the Industrial Inquiry Commission, and the Commissioner presented a report of recommendations to the Minister of Labour on May 15, 2025. The collective agreements expired on May 22, 2025, and the union is once again in a strike position. Negotiations are ongoing.

· 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.
· 98% of all Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance recipients receive their payments through direct deposit.
· Canada Post and the union have agreed to continue to deliver pension cheques across Canada, and to delivery Employment Insurance cheques to clients living in Northern Canada.
· Canadians should switch to direct deposit 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.

• 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.

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

· Close to 98% of all Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Student Financial Assistance Program clients are signed up for direct deposit.

· Clients who receive any benefits by mail are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit. Clients who do not have a My Service Canada Account (MSCA) are encouraged to create one.

· An average of approximately 80% of applicants receive their passport by mail every month. To prevent passports and other important documents from being caught in the Canada Post network during the strike, Service Canada proactively transitioned to an alternate home delivery service provider.

· 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.

Canadian Dental Care Plan

• Canadians who recently applied for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) are 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.