QUESTION PERIOD — Public Services and Procurement
Canada Post
December 11, 2024
My question is for Senator Gold.
With the Canada Post strike now approaching its fourth week, the disruption is increasingly impacting Canadians nationwide. Small businesses are struggling with shipping delays and higher costs, with rural, remote and northern communities facing significant risk due to interrupted deliveries of essential items like prescription medications and medical supplies. The Assembly of First Nations and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs are calling for the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further harm.
What steps is the government taking to address these disruptions, particularly to ensure the timely delivery of critical supplies, such as medication, medical equipment and health care supplies to affected communities?
Thank you for your question and for underlining the real impacts this strike is having, if not for some of us in urban areas, with easier access to alternatives, then to those outside such areas who rely on Canada Post — as do others; charities and others could be mentioned.
The Minister of Labour has made it very clear that the parties are very far apart, and despite the intervention of mediators, the mediators concluded that it is, as we say in French, a dialogue de sourds and that mediation is not yet possible until the parties come closer and are willing to make a deal.
It’s also unfortunately the case that the House of Commons is in a situation where the options for the government are very modest if existent at all. This is a structural problem within Canada Post. It’s hard for the workers and for Canadians. We hope the parties will get back and bargain in good faith.
Thank you, Senator Gold.
Given that Minister MacKinnon has stated that he is not yet contemplating an intervention, what additional actions do you believe the government could be taking at this moment? Furthermore, what specific steps do you think should be prioritized to swiftly resolve the situation and mitigate the ongoing impacts for Canadians?
Thank you for the question.
For different reasons, I’m often unable to respond to questions. Were I to have the wisdom, knowledge and expertise to resolve this problem, I certainly would have shared it with the government. Nothing is hopeless, but this is a really difficult problem. The government does not have the ability to change the mindsets of the parties. It hopes they will come to their senses and show respect to Canadians, who need Canada Post to be delivering what they need for the benefit of Canadians.
