Canada Post strike leaves Canadians, foreign nationals stuck waiting for critical documents

As the Canada Post labor strike enters its second week, individuals across Canada and beyond are reporting significant disruptions to their daily lives due to the halted mail services.

A Passport Delayed, a Job at Risk

Wenqi (Michael) Xu, a Chinese national, is among those affected. Michael, who works in New York, traveled to Toronto three weeks ago to renew his U.S. work visa, a process that requires applying at a consulate outside the United States. Since then, he has been stranded in Toronto, waiting for his passport to be delivered by Canada Post.

Michael expressed deep concerns about the financial and professional impacts of the delay, saying he has already spent "well over" $4,000 on accommodations, food, and other expenses. “And it continues to grow,” he added.

The uncertainty also jeopardizes his job. “My work basically doesn’t let me be here indefinitely,” he explained. Losing his job would also mean losing his support system in the U.S., including friends and his boyfriend. “I’ve been in the U.S. for eight years... this is where my social support system is,” he said.

While Michael supports the right to unionize, he pleaded with all parties to "consider the human impact" of the dispute and urged the government to implement alternative arrangements for delivering essential documents like passports.

Government officials have advised those needing passports urgently to contact the Passport Program or request pick-up service at a Service Canada center. Meanwhile, 85,000 passports remain undelivered.

Waiting for Surgery Amid Missing Documents

In Belleville, Ontario, 71-year-old Sharn Harrington-Hurst is facing a critical delay. She is awaiting her birth certificate to renew her health card, which she needs before undergoing surgery for a brain aneurysm. Despite weekly follow-ups with the Office of the Registrar General, she remains unable to receive the document due to the strike.

“I’m under quite a bit of stress,” said Harrington-Hurst, who cannot afford a courier service to expedite the process. She also needs to arrange travel to Kingston for her operation.

“This aneurysm has to be corrected before I can proceed with three other surgeries,” she explained. While she sympathizes with postal workers seeking fair compensation, she added, “There’s still some of us that are struggling every day.”

Challenges for Small Charities

The strike has also impacted charities like NB Lung, a New Brunswick-based organization supporting lung health. Many of its donors, particularly seniors, traditionally send contributions via mail—a process now disrupted.

Melanie Langille, president and CEO of NB Lung, highlighted how these donations help cover costs for patients undergoing lung transplants, such as travel expenses to Toronto or Montreal. “There’s a lot of out-of-pocket costs that fall through the cracks of what the public health system can cover,” she said.

While staff are encouraging donors to contribute online or over the phone, reaching their extensive donor base of 15,000 people remains a “daunting task.” Despite the challenges, Langille remains hopeful for a resolution, acknowledging that the strike has a “trickle-down effect” on small charities.

Negotiations Ongoing

Talks between Canada Post and the union have resumed, facilitated by a new federal mediator. Canada Post reiterated its commitment to finding solutions through negotiation rather than arbitration.

In the meantime, critical government cheques, including those for Old Age Security and child benefits, are being delivered. However, other vital payments, such as provincial income and disability assistance, are not being mailed. Provincial governments have arranged for these to be picked up locally.

As the strike continues, individuals and organizations across the country await solutions to ease the growing challenges caused by disrupted mail services.