The Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) and the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce (SSWRC) are expressing concern about the potential impacts of a Canada Post labour disruption following the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ notice of a possible strike as early as Friday, May 23 at 12:00 a.m.
While we respect the collective bargaining process and the importance of fair labour negotiations, we urge all parties—Canada Post, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, and the Federal Government—to approach the current situation with urgency, foresight, and a shared commitment to safeguarding Canada’s economic stability.
A prolonged work stoppage would have significant implications for businesses of all sizes—especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that rely heavily on postal services for shipping, billing, legal documentation, and customer communications. These disruptions not only cause logistical delays but create uncertainty that can hinder economic recovery and growth.
“Postal disruptions don’t just inconvenience customers—they interrupt the momentum of businesses working hard to rebound and expand,” said Joslyn Young, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade and Acting Executive Director of the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce. “At a time when many are focused on building back better, stability in essential services is critical to job creation and economic progress.”
Beyond domestic impacts, repeated postal service disruptions risk damaging Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner—particularly in sensitive trade negotiations with the United States and in efforts to reduce interprovincial trade barriers. They also undermine growing sectors like e-commerce and digital business, which depend on dependable delivery networks.
“Canada cannot afford to signal to global partners that our infrastructure is unreliable,” said Young. “We need to continue building resilience—internally and externally—through stable, modern, and efficient systems that support trade and innovation.”
SBOT and SSWRC call on the Federal Government and Canada Post to work toward a long-term, collaborative solution that protects service continuity while respecting the rights and needs of workers. This includes exploring modernization strategies such as the use of digital technologies, enhanced public-private delivery partnerships, and flexible service models that meet the evolving needs of Canadian businesses and consumers.
“Our goal is not just to avoid disruption today, but to strengthen the foundation for a more resilient, future-ready postal system that supports Canada’s economic competitiveness,” Young added.
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Heather Booth
heather@businessinsurrey.com | 604.634.0341
