As the nationwide Canada Post strike enters its seventh day, approximately 85,000 printed passports remain on hold, awaiting mailing.
Impact on Passport Services
Service Canada preemptively halted mailing passports on November 8, 2024, anticipating the labor disruption. This measure prevented passports from being held in Canada Post distribution centers, according to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Passports will be dispatched once the strike concludes and mail services resume.
For urgent travel, Canadians can contact the Passport Program hotline or visit a Service Canada center to transfer their application for in-person pickup.
Strike Details
More than 55,000 postal workers have walked off the job, stalling mail and parcel services nationwide. Negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are ongoing, with a federal mediator involved.
Key union demands include:
A 24% wage increase over four years (versus the 11.5% proposed by Canada Post).
Improvements in job security, benefits, and weekend parcel delivery contracts.
Broader Implications
The strike is disrupting small businesses, charities, and remote communities. Other Service Canada programs reliant on mail, such as employment insurance and social insurance numbers, are also affected.
Advice for Travelers
Canadians planning to travel within six weeks are urged to apply for passports in person at Service Canada centers offering expedited processing. Those with later travel dates can submit applications via courier or in person.
The federal government continues to monitor the situation, urging a swift resolution to minimize the widespread impact.
(Source: Global News)