As the Canada Post strike stretches on, we visited the Simcoe post office to speak directly with workers feeling the impact.
They say the real story isn’t about paycheques—it’s about years of mismanagement and mounting workloads that have pushed employees to the brink.
Karen McQuaid, a Simcoe letter carrier with more than a decade of experience, says Canada Post has failed to adapt to a parcel-driven business model.
She explained how the pressure has steadily increased over the years.
While there, we also spoke with Debbie Kaufman, who manages rural delivery routes.
She warned that more work appears to be on the horizon—and with it, more jobs could be at risk.
The fear of job loss is very real.
Kaufman described the abrupt shift from a steady paycheque to walking the picket line.
Nationally, the strike is driven by concerns that Canada Post is falling behind in the modern delivery market.
Despite a surge in parcel volumes, the company has posted financial losses and recently accepted a government bailout—the first in its history.
Critics argue these losses stem from costly infrastructure decisions and a shift toward operating like a profit-driven business, rather than a sustainable public service.
McQuaid pointed to one area where spending could be cut.
She believes the problems begin with how leadership views the mail delivery system.
Canada Post is meant to serve all Canadians, but she says it’s being treated like a money-making corporation.
And those at the top, she adds, no longer see it as a public service.
Kaufman shares McQuaid’s concerns, saying the issues stem from decisions made at the highest levels.
Rather than cutting routes, she believes there are more effective ways to reduce costs.
Kaufman notes that while the CEO earns more than the Prime Minister, frontline workers continue to receive the same paycheques they’ve had for years.
Though job security remains the top concern, she says it’s frustrating to see executives profiting while workers struggle with the rising cost of living.
The strike continues with no clear end in sight.