OTTAWA — The Green Party of Canada stands in full solidarity with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post workers as they commence a nationwide strike in response to the federal government’s unilateral transformation directive. These reforms, pushed through without the consent of workers, threaten door-to-door delivery, rural post offices, service standards, and democratic collective bargaining.
These changes are presented by Canada Post and the government as a necessary transformation, following recommendations from the Industrial Inquiry Commission. However, CUPW says its creative and forward-looking proposals were never seriously considered. The government’s approach bypasses negotiation, implementing management requests by decree. As a result, Canada Post workers and CUPW have enacted an immediate strike.
“We agree the current business plan for Canada Port is financially unworkable,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada. “That is the fault of management, as it consistently ignores advice from CUPW to provide new revenue sources for Canada Post. We need to use the distributed network of Canada Post offices and workers to provide much needed services, such as postal banking, insurance, and providing wellness checks for the frail and isolated in times of crisis; replacing services the private sector has withdrawn.”
“Postal workers are essential to our communities,” May emphasised. “They deserve more than imposed directives, they deserve respect at the bargaining table. This strike should be a turning point for the Carney government to engage in genuine negotiation, adopt CUPW’s forward-thinking proposals, and guarantee that rural, northern, and disabled Canadians are not left behind.”
The Green Party of Canada is deeply concerned about how these changes will affect the most vulnerable regions and populations. Residents in rural and northern communities, who already face challenges receiving mail, may encounter increased barriers or impractical travel to reach community mailboxes. Imposing community mailboxes or cutting local post offices will intensify inequality in access. People with disabilities or mobility challenges could lose reliable home delivery as the default option if robust protections are not maintained. Small communities that rely on their local post office as a hub for communication risk becoming collateral damage in this top-down policy shift.
“Canada Post represents one of the last truly public institutions connecting all Canadians. Undermining its reach does not just affect workers, it harms every community that depends on it across the country, leaving our most vulnerable regions further isolated,” May continued.
The Green Party applauds the courage of postal workers who are defending not only their own rights, but the rights of all Canadians to reliable, democratic public infrastructure. We urge the government to seriously consider CUPW’s forward-thinking proposals and support a resolution founded on justice, accountability, and sustainable service.
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For media inquiries or to arrange an interview: media@greenparty.ca