Canada Post’s recent strikes have significantly impacted small businesses, prompting owners like Benoît Doyon of Imaginaire stores to seek alternatives for product deliveries. Frustrated by ongoing disruptions, Doyon plans to shift to private delivery services, citing a loss of trust in Canada Post. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, around 73% of SME owners intend to lessen their reliance on Canada Post, highlighting the long-term effects of the postal service’s instability on small enterprises.
The Impact of Canada Post Strikes on Small Businesses
In light of recent developments, Canada Post employees are being mandated to return to work by the federal government. However, the repercussions of the postal strikes are already apparent, particularly for entrepreneurs like Benoît Doyon, who have decided to sever ties with the crown corporation for their product deliveries.
Business Owners Seek Alternatives Amid Service Disruptions
Benoît Doyon, the owner of Imaginaire stores specializing in board games, expresses his frustration, stating, “Canada Post is done for me, and not just for me.” He highlights the long-standing issue of repeated strikes affecting the postal service. With the holiday season approaching, many of his customers are demanding refunds, unable to receive their gifts in time for Christmas—a situation he finds unacceptable.
While Doyon empathizes with the workers’ decision to strike during peak times for leverage, he recognizes the financial risks it poses to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like his. “I talk to a lot of other entrepreneurs, and at some point, they lose a billion; I don’t know how many millions, and then [Canada Post] is going to lose so many businesses,” he notes. For Doyon and many others, the uncertainty of partnering with Canada Post is no longer viable.
To mitigate future risks, Doyon plans to collaborate with private delivery services, having already relied on Purolator this year. “I thanked the people at Purolator for taking me in on short notice, enabling me to maintain my business operations,” he shares. “These are thousands of packages that I have sent.” His experience underscores the importance of support during challenging times.
According to recent data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), approximately 73% of SME owners indicate they will decrease their reliance on Canada Post services moving forward due to the disruptions caused by the strike. “SMEs have written off Canada Post for this holiday season,” asserts Jasmin Guénette, Vice President of National Affairs at CFIB. “Even if the strike ends today, it will take weeks to process the accumulated delays and return to normal.” This situation forces SMEs to explore alternative delivery options, potentially leaving Canada Post without a significant client base in the future.
For more insights, don’t miss Benoît Doyon’s interview in the video above.