Canada Post Strike: No Deal Yet, Rising Fraud Concerns Amid Delivery Disruptions
Negotiations between Canada Post and its striking workers remain stalled, with no immediate resolution in sight. Both parties have expressed a willingness to restart mediation but are still awaiting further steps from a government-appointed mediator. Meanwhile, the strike, now entering its third week, is causing significant disruption, including delays in holiday shipments and a rise in mail-related scams.
Mediation Efforts on Hold
Canada Post announced it had presented a new negotiation model over the weekend, which it claims offers “greater flexibility” in its delivery system and addresses key issues in the labor dispute. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) responded by making “adjustments” to the proposal, aiming to restart the mediation process.
However, the mediator has yet to resume discussions, citing a lack of sufficient movement from either side. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon emphasized that both parties must “modify their respective positions” to reach an agreement that minimizes disruptions to Canadians.
Tens of thousands of postal workers have been on strike since November 15, halting letter and package deliveries nationwide. The work stoppage has impacted not only domestic services but also international shipments, with the U.S. Postal Service temporarily suspending mail destined for Canada.
Spike in Fraud Amid Postal Delays
The ongoing strike has coincided with an alarming rise in mail scams, particularly phishing schemes and fraudulent delivery messages. Equifax Canada reports an “exponential” increase in fraud attempts, with some days seeing up to 87 reports of suspicious activity originating from the same IP addresses.
“Scammers are exploiting the confusion caused by the strike and the busy holiday season,” said Octavia Howell, Chief Information Security Officer at Equifax Canada. These scams often involve fake emails or texts claiming to be from Canada Post or other courier services, asking for payment for undelivered items or offering expedited services.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has also issued warnings, advising Canadians to verify delivery services, avoid unsolicited offers, and refrain from clicking on links in suspicious messages. Canada Post has reiterated that it never contacts users via email or text unless explicitly requested and urged Canadians to watch for signs of phishing, including poor grammar or inconsistent branding.
Broader Impacts
With the strike affecting holiday shopping and shipping, the pressure is mounting on both Canada Post and CUPW to reach a resolution. However, progress remains slow, and the ongoing disruptions are likely to fuel frustration among Canadians and businesses alike.
As negotiations remain in limbo, the strike’s ripple effects—ranging from delayed shipments to increased fraud—highlight the need for both parties to find common ground quickly to restore normalcy during the critical holiday season.
Source : The Canadian Press
