OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that major operational changes are essential to make Canada Post functional as an organization. His remarks come amidst an ongoing flash strike by postal workers over proposed reforms.
Carney highlighted the severe financial distress facing the Crown Corporation, noting that Canada Post is currently incurring losses exceeding $1 million per day. He stressed that changes are crucial to overcome this crisis, mentioning that the federal government has already provided $1 billion (100 crore dollars) in assistance to address the current economic situation.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which represents postal employees, launched the unscheduled flash strike starting Thursday evening in protest of changes proposed by the federal government.
The controversial reforms include eliminating non-urgent air postal service in favor of ground transport, and transitioning mail delivery for four million homes to community mailboxes.
The postal workers’ union reacted negatively to these proposals, initiating the strike. Jan Simpson, National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, argued that the government’s actions are intended to destroy both the postal service and the workers’ unions.
