Navigating the Canada Post Strike: Ecommerce Solutions You Can Trust

As Canada Post is on strike, many ecommerce businesses are understandably anxious about potential disruptions in their shipping operations. However, there’s no need to panic. With Chit Chats, your business can continue to thrive, no matter what happens.

Update December 16, 2024

Canada Post will resume operations on Tuesday, December 17, following a work mandate issued by the Canada Industrial Relations Board to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

What does this mean?

• While operations will resume on December 17, major delays are expected. Canada Post will prioritize delivering backlogged shipments that were in their system before the strike, ahead of newly handed-off shipments.
• Chit Chats Canada Tracked and Slim shipments that were in the Canada Post mailstream during the strike will now continue on their way to their destinations. Please allow additional time for these shipments to be delivered. Take note that delays caused by the strike are not covered by Chit Chats Insurance.
• Chit Chats Canada Tracked and Slim postage will be available once again for purchase starting December 17; however, we recommend to continue to use Chit Chats Select until the Canada Post delay has ended.

Note: Due to high shipment volumes, Canadian couriers are experiencing delays therefore causing longer processing times for Chit Chats Select. Rest assured, your shipments will still be on their way to their destinations. Read more

Things to know

• No new mail will be accepted by Canada Post until Dec 19
• Expect Canada Post delivery delays through the remainder of 2024 and into January 2025
• There will be no delivery timeframes for Chit Chats Canada Tracked and Slim due to the significant Canada Post delays.

---

Update November 15, 2024

Starting today, November 15, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has initiated a strike against Canada Post. There will be a complete shutdown during the strike, causing service disruptions and delays in shipments to many recipients across Canada. Canada Post will not accept any new mail, and all shipments already in the mailstream network will be held. Once the strike concludes, shipments will be processed and delivered on a first-in, first-out basis. 

We understand how stressful this can be, especially with the peak season ahead, but there’s no need to worry!

With Chit Chats Select, your Canadian-bound packages can keep moving despite the strike.

• This service covers 90% of Canadian addresses
• Excludes (does not delivery to) PO boxes, rural routes and some rural addresses.
• For deliveries to apartments, make sure you include a buzzer code in the second address line.

We’re here to help you avoid delays and ensure your shipments reach their destinations on time.

Please be advised that all courier services across Canada are expecting higher than normal volume and deliveries may take longer than normal due to the strike. 

Key Updates

If you have Chit Chats Canada Tracked and Chit Chats Slim shipments already in the Canada Post network, they will be held by Canada Post and likely delayed until after the strike.

Both Canada Tracked and Slim have been disabled so please use Chit Chats Select for your Canadian shipments.

For Canada Tracked and Slim shipments still in our network, these shipments will be held at our warehouse until the strike has ended.

• If you wish to have these returned to you or switched to Chit Chats Select please reach out to your local branch to request this.
• We will do our best to retrieve them however there could be delays. Our team is working to get shipments processed and due to the strike we are experiencing a higher volume of shipments and inquiries.
• If your Chit Chats Canada Tracked or Slim shipments insured by Chit Chats Insurance are stuck in the Canada Post mailstream, please remember that insurance only covers loss and damage, not delays. Shipments delayed by the strike are not eligible for a claim.
• Canada Tracked and Slim return shipments will also be impacted. Returned shipments in Canada Post network will be held until operations resume. Returned shipments already in Chit Chats network will be processed within our standard timelines.
• During the strike, you can still create and print Canadian return labels. However, please note that Canada Post will not accept return shipments until the strike is over and operations resume.

Recommendations

• Update your website and your customers to let them know of delays if you ship using Canada Post.
• Avoid shipping to PO boxes and rural addresses until Canada Post resumes operations.

Read our original blog post below for full details and how to keep shipping stress-free with Chit Chats.

---

Why You Shouldn’t Worry

With a Canada Post strike in 2024, you may be wondering what you can do to ensure your business continues especially as the holiday season approaches.

Chit Chats is your Canada Post alternative to access shipping within Canada, to the U.S. and worldwide.

• Diverse Carrier Network: Our network includes trusted partner carriers that allow us to provide reliable and low-cost postage options not only in Canada but to the U.S. and worldwide. This means your shipping needs are met without interruption. 
• Expert & Caring Support: Our team is here to guide you through the shipping process, helping you choose the best options for your specific needs. We’re dedicated to keeping you informed and prepared, so you never feel alone in navigating shipping challenges.
• Seamless Transitions: Should any disruptions arise, our services allow you to continue to ship smoothly minimizing any potential impact on your delivery schedules. 
• Customer Focus: Your business is our priority. We are here to provide solutions that will help your business to grow and streamline your operations all while saving money! 

While FedEx and UPS offer alternatives, their rates are often too high for small businesses. Furthermore, Canada Post’s majority ownership in Purolator (91%) makes it a key player at the negotiating table, limiting other affordable options.

Avoid P.O. Box

As precautionary measure, we recommend that you refrain from sending shipments destined to PO boxes just until there is a confirmed decision from the Canada Post union. In the event they strike this will help prevent packages from getting stuck or delayed in transit, sparing you from potential headaches.

Chit Chats: Alternative for Canadian Small Businesses

During the 2018 Canada Post strike, Chit Chats stepped up to support Canadian small businesses, offering a vital lifeline with cost-effective shipping that helped businesses save on postage and continue to deliver to their customers. 

Our platform empowered businesses to keep fulfilling orders without interruption, with convenient tools to estimate rates and create postage labels right from home. This year, we’re here once again to help you keep shipping through any potential disruptions.

Chit Chats Canada Tracked & Chit Chats Slim

Chit Chats does partner with Canada Post for our Canada Tracked and Slim services and a strike could impact delivery timelines for them. Our Chit Chats Select is available which will not be impacted should Canada Post strike and is a very cost-effective option, allowing you to keep your Canadian shipping on track without compromise.

Note: Our Canada Tracked scan-based return labels will be affected as well.

Shipping to the U.S. and internationally

All of our service options to the US and overseas are great Canada Post alternatives as we partner with carriers like USPS and Asendia. These services would not be impacted and will provide you to ship to your customers without disruptions.

Chit Chats History

Understanding businesses and being able to help Canadians is part of Chit Chats mission. Chit Chats exists because Derek Nolan wanted to reduce the cost of shipping his books from Canada to the U.S. He realized he could drive across the border to the U.S. himself and ship his books to his customers at a fraction of the price with USPS. Before he knew it, other book sellers started paying him to take their books and Chit Chats was born. Derek Nolan saw the biggest pain point for many businesses was shipping costs. This made it difficult for many small businesses to compete in the ecommerce industry.

Chit Chats levels the playing field so Canadian businesses can not only compete but thrive!  Ship with Chit Chats today so your business can expand into markets beyond Canada and keep your profits without low-cost shipping rates. Plus access our comprehensive solutions that include insurance, supplies and fulfillment services.