B.C. businesses forced to turn to private couriers as Canada Post labour dispute continues

Pitt Meadows business owner Samantha Garcia normally ships out her pregnancy and post-partum products with Canada Post.

But these days, she’s telling her mail carrier, “I don’t have anything for you.”

Garcia’s business, bellies inc., is among the many across Canada that are currently paying two to three times more to ship with third-party couriers instead of Canada Post, as they work to avoid the costs and impacts that another potential strike could have at the Crown corporation.

“Last time, I had quite a lot of packages get stuck in all of it, and I had to re-send things, and then I had to hope for them to send it back to me when they eventually received it. Some I got back, some I didn’t, so it was a huge cost for me,” she told CityNews.

About 55,000 Canada Post workers have been in a legal strike position since May, but have so far opted to refuse overtime, instead.

“Us small businesses need it sorted so we know what our next steps are gonna be,” Garcia added.

Over the weekend, Canada Post rejected a request from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to enter into binding arbitration, arguing that the process is complicated and lengthy and would only extend the uncertainty.

The federal government has yet to respond to Canada Post’s recent request to force a union membership vote on its latest offer.

The federal jobs minister said in a statement that her office is reviewing the order and will have more to say soon. The president of the local union, meanwhile, says they don’t plan to strike at the moment.

“That will be our last option – we want both parties to negotiate a fairly negotiated collective agreement – that will work for us,” CUPW Vancouver president Anju Parmar explained.

Garcia says she plans to continue using third-party couriers until there’s a new contract. In the meantime, she’ll be missing catching up with her courier, Jamie.

“I see her, what? Twice a week. I know all about her life, and last time was really tough for her, being off all that time,” she explained.

Canada Post has been struggling with competition in recent years, with the Crown corporation reporting an operating loss of $1.3 billion in 2024.