Canada Post Strike: What’s Happening and How It Impacts Charities

What’s Happening Right Now 

On September 25, 2025, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) launched a nationwide strike in response to government-mandated reforms at Canada Post. As a result: 

• All regular mail and parcel delivery is suspended until further notice. 

• Post offices are closed and scheduled pickups cancelled. 

• Even when the strike ends, Canada Post warns it will take time to clear the backlog and restore normal service. 
  

This strike comes at a time of major transition. The federal government has directed Canada Post to overhaul its operations in the face of record losses (over $400 million in Q2 2025 alone). Plans include slower delivery standards, expanded use of community mailboxes, and possible closures of rural outlets. These changes, alongside the strike, bring significant uncertainty for everyone who relies on the postal system. 

Looking Back: The 2024 Strike 

Many of you will remember the last major strike, which took place between November 15 and December 17, 2024. That disruption lasted just over a month and had a profound impact on charities and nonprofits—particularly because it coincided with the holiday giving season. 

• Charities were estimated to have lost over $266 million in donations during that strike. 

• Some organizations reported donation drops of 20–25%, with cheques and mail-in gifts arriving weeks late. 

• Donor communications, including appeal letters, acknowledgment cards, and tax receipts, were severely delayed, causing confusion and frustration among supporters. 

• A federal measure had to be introduced to extend the 2024 charitable donation deadline to February 28, 2025 so donors wouldn’t be penalized. 
  

This history is fresh in our sector’s memory. It underscores just how disruptive a postal strike can be—especially at critical fundraising moments. 

The Impact on Charities and Nonprofits Today 

With another strike underway, organizations face the same risks again: 

• Cash flow challenges as donations sent by mail may be delayed by weeks. 

• Lower response rates for any appeals timed for fall or holiday giving. 

• Rising costs as groups turn to couriers or other channels to bridge the gap. 

• Strain on donor stewardship if acknowledgments and receipts don’t arrive when expected. 
  

For small and mid-sized organizations—many of whom still rely heavily on direct mail—this disruption can feel overwhelming. 

How Keys Marketing Group Can Help 

We know how much is at stake for your mission and your donors. Our role is to help you adapt quickly and continue building meaningful connections during this uncertain time. Here’s how we can support you: 

• Quick Action Communication When timing is critical, we’ll help you reach donors instantly through SMS, email, and voice blasts—keeping your message in front of them even while mail is stalled. 

• Longer, More Impactful Conversations Our telefundraising campaigns give donors the chance to hear directly from you, building trust and strengthening relationships when personal connection matters most. 

• Digital and Print Advertising To maintain visibility and reinforce your appeals, we can deploy targeted digital ads and print placements that carry your message into the community and online spaces donors frequent. 

• Reinforce Existing Mail Campaigns If your direct mail is already in motion, we’ll create digital and phone follow-ups to keep your message alive until the backlog clears. 

• Communicate Transparently with Donors We’ll work with you to explain the strike’s impact empathetically, while reinforcing gratitude and trust. 

• Plan for Every Scenario Whether the strike lasts weeks or months, we’ll map out short-, medium-, and long-term contingencies so your fundraising calendar stays on track. 

Moving Forward Together 

The 2024 strike taught us that even when mail stops, generosity doesn’t. Donors still want to give, connect, and support the causes they love—they just need clear pathways to do so. 

At Keys Marketing Group, we’re here to make sure your mission keeps moving forward—whether by phone, SMS, email, voice blast, ads, or digital engagement—until the mail starts moving again. 

Let’s keep building strong connections, even in uncertain times.