Should We Kill Canada Post?

Canada Post is hemorrhaging money—over $5 billion in losses since 2018, with no end in sight. As postal workers walk off the job for the second time in a year, the Crown corporation is effectively insolvent, surviving only on a $1 billion government bailout.

But this isn't just a story about a strike. It's about an institution designed for 5.5 billion letters per year now delivering less than half that, while still maintaining the same infrastructure, the same costs, and the same workforce.

The world has changed. Canada Post hasn't. Can it be fixed, or is it time to let it go?

Key Takeaways:

The brutal math: Canada Post has lost over $5 billion since 2018 and is currently losing $10 million every single day, with labour costs of $50-60/hour compared to private competitors at $20-50/hour

Digital extinction: Letter mail has dropped from 5.5 billion pieces annually to just 2 billion, even as the number of Canadian households has grown—a trend that's irreversible and accelerating

The rural dilemma: Three-quarters of Canadians already use community mailboxes, but eliminating door-to-door delivery or privatizing threatens to leave remote communities without affordable service

In this episode, David and Chris cut through the rhetoric from all sides—union demands, government talking points, and business frustrations—to explore what it would actually take to save Canada Post, whether Canadians still need universal postal service in 2025, and what happens to workers and communities if we get this wrong.

Whether you're a small business owner tired of unreliable delivery, a postal worker fighting for your livelihood, or simply someone wondering why your mail keeps getting more expensive and less reliable, this conversation will challenge your assumptions about what Canada Post should be—and whether it has a future at all.

TAKEAWAYS

Canada Post is facing significant financial losses, exceeding $3 billion since 2018.
The union is demanding additional paid medical days and expanded benefits.
Government efforts focus on finding efficiencies in postal services.
The role of unions may conflict with the need for operational efficiency.
Digital transformation is essential for the future of mail delivery.
Rural communities are particularly affected by changes in mail services.
There is a need for innovative solutions to maintain mail delivery.
The conversation emphasizes empathy for postal workers amid the crisis.
The potential for Canada Post to pivot towards a more competitive model exists.
The future of Canada Post may involve significant downsizing due to digital trends.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
03:32 Understanding the Labor Dispute
06:12 The Financial State of Canada Post
09:06 Exploring Solutions: Kill, Fix, or Innovate?
12:20 The Role of Unions in the Current Crisis
15:43 Digital Transformation and Future of Mail Delivery
26:42 Wrapup

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