Can Canadians still trust Canada Post with holiday mail after months of strikes?

Cue holiday panic: Christmas is less than a month away.

It is also notoriously the busiest time of year for post offices. And with all the Canada Post job action in the news lately, some people might be wondering if their packages and cards will still arrive in time for the holidays, or what their shipping options are.

Last week, Canada Post and the union representing thousands of letter carriers across the country said they have reached agreements in principle after two years of contentious negotiations. The Canadian Postal Workers Union (CUP) He said the parties “agreed on the main points of the agreements” and that the rotating strike had been suspended.

But what do they mean by “in principle”? Could the strikes start again? And how can Canadians ensure their vacation packages arrive in time for the actual vacation?

Let’s analyze it.

Could the strikes continue?

CBC News reached out to Canada Post several times and has yet to receive a response.

But the corporation notes on its website that the parties have yet to finalize tentative collective agreements for signature. Once the agreements are signed, it is expected that there will be a ratification vote by union members.

The union will retain the right to strike until new agreements are ratified, the CUPW says in a press release.

So essentially, If the two sides cannot reach an agreement on the language of those agreements, a strike could resume ahead of the busy holiday season.

CUPW launched a national strike in late September after the federal government announced sweeping changes at the Crown corporation, including authorizing it to end home delivery for the four million addresses still receiving it.

And according to CUPW, this round of negotiations has been “difficult.”

“CUPW negotiators for both bargaining units are carefully reviewing the contract language,” the union told CBC News in an email statement.

“Reaching interim collective agreements that postal workers can confidently ratify will return much-needed stability to the public postal service and ensure that workers finally receive the fair working conditions and respect they deserve.”

Is it safe to send cards and gifts through Canada Post?

For now, yes, according to Steven Tufts, an associate professor at York University in Toronto who researches organized labor.

“When they reached a tentative agreement… the union agreed to cease the rotating strikes, so now everything is moving forward,” Tufts told David Common, host of CBC Radio’s Metro Morning show on Thursday.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean customers have confidence in the service or that the union won’t strike again. On the Canada Post subreddit, for example, many of its more than 100,000 members have expressed frustration and stress over Canada Post’s service and reliability.

Several companies have also shifted to private couriers during the rotating strikes.

“We are not going to breathe a sigh of relief until an agreement is ratified,” Cristina said. Santini, director of national affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) told CBC News.

An October CFIB report noted that 13 percent of the Canadian population small and medium Businesses surveyed stopped using Canada Post after its 2024 strike, with 55 per cent saying they used it less frequently.

“Retailers tell us that service remains spotty and unreliable as this goes on and on,” Santo Ligotti, vice-president of marketing and member services at the Retail Council of Canada, told CBC News in an email statement.

“As a result, many have turned to other suppliers to ensure Canadians receive their deliveries in time for the holiday season.”

What are the options?

Canada Post did not respond to CBC’s request for tips on making sure its packages and cards arrive on time.

But several shipping information websites, including Easy Ship, Ship Station, and Shipping Chimp: Let’s say Canada Post’s domestic package shipping deadlines for a regular package are December 10 nationwide, December 16 regionally, and December 19 locally.

It’s not clear where they got those dates, but they are similar to previous years.

The dates are later if you pay by Xpresspost or Priority. As for postal mail and cards, you will likely have some wiggle room until December 19 and 23, according to Ship Station.

A package can take up to 13 days to travel between some provinces by regular mail, according to the Canada Post website.

For packages to the US, Canada Post’s website says to wait between two and eight business days, depending on the type of delivery you purchase. International airmail may take between two and more than 12 business days to arrive.

Canada Post recommends that all letters to Santa be mailed by December 8.

While there are other options for mailing packages, such as UPS and Purolator, it is also important to note that some Indigenous and remote communities rely exclusively on Canada Post for mail delivery.

“In many cases, even if a private provider is used, it is Canada Post that performs the last mile,” the CFIB said. Santini.

“So if companies turn to Canada Post, it’s not because they’re trustworthy. It’s because they’re profitable and they’re the ones providing the service of telling where the package should go.”

Canada Post’s website notes that delivery times are subject to change without notice and lists various causes beyond its reasonable control. These include “acts of God,” unexpected increases in volume, and work interruptions.