In a new FreightWaves article, Alison Layfield, Vice President of Product Development at ePost Global, spoke candidly about the long-term implications of the ongoing Canada Post strike and the government’s sweeping modernization reforms.
Layfield noted that Canada Post’s ability to regain trust among shippers is quickly eroding:
“Businesses don’t have confidence in them anymore. Many haven’t gone back to Canada Post since the last strike and I don’t think that’s going to happen until Canada Post proves themselves again.”
As the work stoppage drags on, Layfield emphasized the immediate pressure on brands and the shift toward alternate carriers – especially as the holidays approach:
“Most e-commerce package consolidators like ePost Global are only tendering about 10% of their volumes to Canada Post because there are so many private-carrier options. But those carriers cannot deliver to P.O. boxes or remote zip codes.”
She added that ePost has rerouted volume to its six integrated Canadian partners, while still handing off some shipments to USPS for clients who haven’t yet upgraded – noting that packages may be staged indefinitely unless the strike ends.
Layfield also backed the modernization plan that includes weekend delivery, community mailboxes, and part-time staffing – but warned that internal resistance could stall needed improvements:
“The network delivery is where they have all their pain points. They’re not going to be able to improve that unless they have employees who are willing to accept those changes.”
