Toronto Postal Workers protest Proposed Canada Post Changes
Toronto postal workers continued their strike Wednesday, bolstered by support from labor activists and community members in a day of action focused on opposing planned changes to Canada Post. The exhibition, which occupied a section of Queen Street near Pape Avenue, voiced concerns that the proposed alterations represent a move towards privatization, potentially jeopardizing both employment and public access to postal services.
Robby Jouhal, a Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) executive representing over 55,000 postal workers, emphasized the importance of maintaining a public postal service. “we’re a public service, we love our jobs … we know Canadians across the country need us and we want to make sure we’re able to serve them,” he stated at the protest.
The potential changes were announced on September 25th by Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement. These include eliminating the requirement for daily mail delivery, transitioning door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes, and closing some rural post offices.
CUPW members at the Toronto rally argued these changes would not only lead to job losses but also negatively impact residents who depend on regular, direct mail delivery. Thomas Canales, a CUPW member participating in the protest, highlighted the importance of the service for seniors. “It’s a great impact,seniors … a lot of them rely on the services that come to their house,which is what we’ve been trying to provide,” he said. “We’re trying to make sure the public is served.”
Canada Post has reported financial losses since 2018, most recently losing $448 million in the first half of 2025, as stated in an August release. The government contends that the proposed changes could generate annual savings of up to $420 million, addressing this ongoing deficit.
However, union members argue that applying profit-driven expectations to Canada Post is inappropriate. “The ambulance isn’t asked to make a profit, the police aren’t asked to make a profit, but when Canada Post doesn’t make a profit people lose public services,” Canales explained.
The union also expressed concerns that the changes are a step towards privatizing canada Post, a claim Lightbound’s office denies.A statement provided to CBC News affirmed that “Canada Post must remain a public service,” emphasizing its vital role in serving rural and Indigenous communities.
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