Canada Post is not on strike as of April 27, 2026—but 55,000 workers remain in legal limbo as the union votes on tentative agreements that could resolve or reignite the labor dispute. The nationwide strike that began September 25, 2025, has been suspended, operations have resumed, and members are now casting ballots on whether to accept the deal.

4 related posts

Strike Start Date: September 25, 2025 · Affected Employees: 55,000 · Union: STTP / CUPW · Vote Date: April 20, 2026 · Service Status: Operations resumed

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2Delivery impacts
3What’s unclear
  • When ratification votes will conclude
  • Whether the agreements will pass or trigger a new strike
  • Exact timeline for full normalization of operations
4What’s next
  • CUPW members voting on tentative agreements (CUPW Official Site)
  • Parties finalizing collective agreements for signing (Canada Post Official Negotiations Page)
  • Government reforms—ending home delivery, closing rural post offices—await implementation (CUPW Official Site)

Key facts from official sources trace the strike’s evolution from nationwide halt to suspended operations pending member ratification.

Key Fact Detail
Strike Status Suspended; no active labor action
Start Date September 25, 2025
First 2024 Strike November 15 – December 17, 2024
Union STTP/CUPW (55,000 workers)
Services Resumed nationwide

Is Canada Post still on strike?

Current strike status

No. As of April 27, 2026, Canada Post is not on strike. The Canada Post Official Negotiations Page confirms that all strike and lockout activity is suspended while the parties work to finalize tentative collective agreements. The nationwide interruption that began September 25, 2025, ended when agreements in principle were reached, allowing operations to resume.

The labor dispute itself, however, is not over. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers launched national strike action on September 25, 2025, halting all parcel processing and delivery (Passport Global news report). While the immediate crisis has passed, workers and management are still navigating the final stages of contract approval.

Recent union updates

CUPW announced that ratification votes began April 20, 2026 (CUPW Official Site). This means members are now casting ballots on whether to accept the tentative agreements reached with Canada Post. The vote outcome remains uncertain—ratification could end the dispute, or rejection could trigger new labor action.

Editor’s note

Canada Post’s service alerts page shows no current disruptions as of the latest updates. However, the tentative agreements have not yet been signed, leaving the final outcome in the hands of CUPW members.

Is Canada Post delivering mail today?

Mail and parcel impacts

Yes. Canada Post is currently accepting and delivering mail and parcels across the country. The Canada Post Service Alerts page shows no active service disruptions. This follows a period of complete operational pause during the national strike that began September 25, 2025, when the Crown corporation confirmed it was not accepting new items (EasyShip shipping news).

The return to normal operations came after CUPW shifted to rotating strikes on October 10, 2025, which allowed some mail processing and delivery to resume (Wikipedia labor dispute timeline). Full nationwide service has since been restored under the suspended strike conditions.

Affected regions

The 2025 strike had uneven regional impacts. Alberta activated a government mail contingency plan on October 1, 2025, in response to the service interruption that began September 25 (Government of Alberta service update). Locals in British Columbia—including Dawson Creek and Fort St. John—participated in rotating strikes during October 2025 (YouTube video coverage). These regional actions have since ceased.

The catch

USPS suspended service guarantees to Canada on October 3, 2025, due to the strike. Cross-border shipments may still experience delays even as domestic Canada Post service has normalized.

Are mail carriers passing today?

Factor routes

Home delivery is now resuming across the country, but the timeline varies by location. The dispute centered partly on government reforms announced September 25, 2025, which include ending home delivery and closing rural post offices (Labor Notes union coverage). CUPW has argued these changes could cost more than 10,000 Canada Post jobs, a figure the union described as “an attack on our postal service and workers.”

Delivery schedules

During the peak of the 2025 strike, no home delivery occurred in affected regions. The interruption was directly tied to the labor conflict between CUPW and Canada Post. Now operating under suspended strike conditions, Canada Post is working through backlogs while awaiting the ratification vote outcome. The CRA confirmed that services impacted during the 2025 strike have resumed following the agreement (Government of Canada CRA notice).

When will Canada Post go back to work?

Vote results

The question of when the dispute will be formally resolved hinges on the ratification vote that began April 20, 2026. According to CUPW Official Site, members are voting on tentative agreements that Canada Post and CUPW reached in principle. The process has not yet concluded, and the timeline for results depends on how quickly ballots are counted.

Canada Post has stated that parties are finalizing tentative collective agreements for signing (Canada Post Official Negotiations Page). However, no signed agreements have been announced as of April 27, 2026.

Negotiation progress

The path to the current suspension was lengthy. A first strike began November 15, 2024, and was suspended December 17, 2024, after Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon declared impasse and ordered workers back (Wikipedia labor dispute timeline). An Industrial Inquiry Commission report released May 15, 2025, favored Canada Post positions, and the contract cooling-off period ended May 22, 2025 (Labor Notes union coverage). The national strike then resumed after Minister Joël Lightbound announced reforms on September 25, 2025.

The implication: ratification could end years of labor uncertainty, but rejection would likely trigger a return to active labor action with no clear resolution path.

What are Canada Post strike union negotiations?

Key issues

The dispute has centered on wages, job security, and the future of postal service itself. CUPW initially demanded a 24% wage increase, later reducing demands to 19% on December 9, 2024 (Wikipedia labor dispute timeline). The CIRB ordered a 5% raise implemented immediately after the 2024 strike (Labor Notes union coverage).

Beyond wages, the proposed government reforms represent a structural threat to the workforce. Ending home delivery and closing rural post offices would fundamentally reshape the postal service and, CUPW argues, eliminate thousands of jobs.

Recent developments

CUPW escalated to refusing unaddressed flyers processing on September 15, 2025, before the full national strike began (Wikipedia labor dispute timeline). The national strike launched the following week. Now, with strike activity suspended and ratification votes underway, the union awaits member decisions on whether the tentative agreements adequately address their concerns.

“While we do so, we have agreed that all strike/lockout activity is suspended.”

— Canada Post Official Statement

“The changes could cost more than 10,000 Canada Post jobs.”

— CUPW Union Estimate

What this means: the tentative agreements represent a fragile peace. If ratification fails, Canada Post could face renewed labor action with no government back-to-work order currently in place.

Confirmed facts

  • All strike and lockout activity suspended as parties finalize agreements
  • Operations resumed nationwide after September 2025 tentative agreements
  • CUPW ratification votes began April 20, 2026
  • Government reforms announced September 25, 2025, include ending home delivery

What’s unclear

  • When ratification votes will conclude
  • Whether members will accept or reject the tentative agreements
  • Exact timeline for full normalization if ratified
  • How government reforms will be implemented if agreements pass
Bottom line: Canada Post is operating normally today, but 55,000 workers remain in a legal gray zone awaiting ratification results. For CUPW members: the vote outcome will determine whether this quiet period holds or whether the union returns to active labor action with no federal backstop currently in place. For Canadians waiting on mail: service is restored, but the outcome of the ratification vote will shape the postal service’s future.

Related reading: Canada GST payment dates · Canada grocery rebate eligibility

Operations have resumed following tentative agreements with 55,000 CUPW workers now under vote, while the details mail delivery recovery across the country.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What caused the Canada Post strike?

The dispute stems from stalled collective bargaining between Canada Post and CUPW. Key issues include wage demands (CUPW reduced its ask from 24% to 19%), job security amid government reforms proposing to end home delivery and close rural post offices, and working conditions. A first strike occurred November–December 2024, followed by a national strike September 2025.

How long has the Canada Post strike lasted?

The current labor dispute spans roughly 18 months. The first work stoppage ran November 15 – December 17, 2024. The second major action—a national strike—began September 25, 2025, and shifted to rotating strikes October 10, 2025, before operations resumed under suspended strike conditions. The dispute formally remains open as of April 27, 2026.

Can I send parcels during the strike?

Yes. Canada Post is currently accepting parcels and mail for delivery across the country. The service alerts page shows no active disruptions. However, cross-border shipments may still face delays—USPS suspended service guarantees to Canada on October 3, 2025, and restoration of those guarantees depends on the carrier.

What are alternatives to Canada Post?

During the 2025 strike, some senders turned to private carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and Purolator. The Alberta government activated a contingency plan for essential government mail during the service interruption. However, for standard letter and parcel delivery within Canada, Canada Post remains the primary option until service normalizes.

Will the strike affect tax filings?

The CRA confirmed that services impacted during the 2025 strike have resumed following the agreement. Canadians expecting tax refund cheques or needing to submit documents by deadline should check the CRA website for any extensions that may have been granted during the disruption.

Where to check Canada Post alerts?

The Canada Post Service Alerts page provides real-time status updates. As of late April 2026, no service disruptions are listed. For negotiation updates, the Canada Post Official Negotiations Page tracks the latest from both parties.

Is the strike only in certain cities?

No. The September 2025 strike was nationwide, halting all Canada Post services. However, regional impacts varied. Alberta activated a government mail contingency plan October 1, 2025. British Columbia locals in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John participated in rotating strikes during October 2025. All regional actions have since ceased under the suspended strike conditions.

What happens if the ratification vote fails?

If CUPW members reject the tentative agreements, the union could call a new strike. Unlike December 2024, when Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon ordered workers back via the CIRB, no similar government intervention is currently in place. This means a rejected vote could trigger active picket lines with no immediate federal backstop.