As the Canada Post strike enters its second week, Canadians and foreign nationals are facing significant disruptions.
Wenqi (Michael) Xu, a Chinese national, has been stranded in Toronto for three weeks while waiting for his passport to be returned by mail. He traveled to renew his U.S. work visa, which must be processed outside the U.S., but the delay has cost him over $4,000 USD and put his job in jeopardy. Michael is urging all parties in the dispute to consider the human impact and explore alternative ways to deliver critical documents like passports.
The strike has also affected Canadians like 71-year-old Sharn Harrington-Hurst from Belleville, Ontario, who is waiting for a birth certificate needed to renew her health card before surgery for a brain aneurysm. Harrington-Hurst said the delay has caused her considerable stress, as her other surgeries depend on the aneurysm being addressed first.
Charities are also feeling the strain. Melanie Langille, CEO of NB Lung, said the New Brunswick-based charity relies heavily on donations sent by mail. The strike has paused these contributions, which fund essential patient support programs. Staff are now trying to reach out to the charity’s 15,000 donors to encourage online or phone donations, but the task is overwhelming.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has continued discussions with a federally appointed mediator, while Canada Post has reiterated its commitment to resolving the dispute at the bargaining table rather than through arbitration. However, the delays in delivering critical documents and payments remain a pressing issue for those affected.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE