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Friday December 13, 2024

Canada Post’s holiday strike highlights the absurdity of outdated labor tactics in a world where private alternatives thrive, pushing Canadians to move on permanently from a once-vital service.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 13, 2024

A Postal Strike Christmas Carol: How Canada Post Might Haunt Its Own Future

November 21, 2018

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – unless you’re waiting for Canada Post to deliver that holiday card or package. Yes, dear reader, the postal workers’ strike has landed like a lump of coal in the stockings of Canadians coast to coast. In an ironic twist, the very season when the Crown corporation traditionally pulls out of its year-long funk to play Santa is now a glaring reminder of its dwindling relevance in a world dominated by private couriers and digital messages.

Canada Post, the once-mighty reindeer of holiday delivery, is facing an existential crisis. In the past, when postal workers struck, the whole country felt the pinch. The 1981 strike? National chaos. The 1997 lockout? A crisis requiring swift political intervention. Today? It seems the Christmas spirit isn’t the only thing that’s gone digital—so has the way Canadians send and receive love, greetings, and gifts.

News: No hope for the holidays: Zero chance Canada Post can deliver cards and packages before Christmas, experts say

December 12, 2013

Let’s take a sleigh ride down memory lane. In 2006, Canada Post delivered 5.5 billion letters annually. Today, it’s barely scraping by at 2.2 billion. For decades, the sound of a letter hitting the floor was a daily joy; now, it’s a relic of simpler times, replaced by the ping of an email notification or the cheerful buzz of a courier app.

Parcel delivery was supposed to save the sleigh. And for a while, it did. But then came Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and a thousand gig workers in unmarked vans delivering packages at all hours. Even Canada Post’s jump to weekend delivery couldn’t keep up. Now, it has a mere 30% slice of the parcel pie, down from two-thirds before the pandemic. As Andrew Coyne aptly pointed out, the strike only hastens the exodus: once customers discover that private couriers work faster and more efficiently, why would they ever come back?

Opinion: Suppose they gave a postal strike and nobody noticed

April 25, 2015

Today, Canadians are managing the strike with a shrug and a Plan B. The outcry isn’t about losing the mail—it’s about the inconvenience of finding alternatives. It’s hard to summon sympathy for postal workers striking at Christmas, a time of goodwill and frantic shipping. Their demands for higher wages and benefits feel like asking Santa for a new sleigh in a world where everyone else has upgraded to drones.

Reader feedback to Coyne’s piece reflects this shift in sentiment. “They’re striking themselves out of a job,” one person quipped. Another commented, “If this goes on, maybe we’ll finally privatize the thing.” Harsh words, but reflective of a growing reality: Canada Post has become more a seasonal tradition than a year-round necessity, like eggnog or fruitcake.

If the strike proves anything, it’s that Canadians have moved on. Small businesses, once reliant on postal service, are now cozying up to private couriers. Families, once reliant on snail mail, have gone digital. Even junk mail enthusiasts—yes, they exist—are adjusting. And as for holiday cards? Who needs stamps when you’ve got e-cards and emojis?

Perhaps Canada Post’s strike is its last hurrah. If customers don’t come back, and deficits continue to balloon (a $748-million loss last year, remember?), even the statutory monopoly on first-class mail won’t save it. The future might just be a Canada Post museum exhibit: “Here lies the Crown corporation that once delivered Christmas.”

Canada Post’s labor tactics feel like Ebenezer Scrooge’s attempts to save a dying business by turning up the heat on Bob Cratchit. But just as Scrooge learned, holding onto old ways in a changing world is a recipe for obsolescence. Canadians want their deliveries fast, reliable, and reasonably priced. And if Canada Post can’t deliver, someone else will.

This Christmas, as we sip our cocoa and track packages online, let’s remember the lessons of the season. Adaptation, goodwill, and maybe, just maybe, learning to let go of the past. Canada Post, we wish you a Merry Christmas—but it might be time to pack up the sleigh. After all, the world is moving on, with or without you.

There’s a kind of unwritten rule in Canada: if you land a public sector job, you’ve scored yourself a lifeboat in a sea of private-sector uncertainty. Governments, after all, are the safety net, and the political stakes in labour disputes mean they’ll often bend over backwards to keep things smooth. Usually, when strikes heat up, a neat little trick called arbitration gets wheeled out to settle the squabble. But when it comes to Canada Post, that formula falls apart.

Why? Because it’s not just about labour versus management—it’s about an entire business model that feels like a relic of the rotary phone era. The union and Canada Post are locked in a 1970s-style labour standoff, oblivious to the fact that the world has zipped ahead. This isn’t the age when a postal strike meant a national crisis. It’s 2024, and most Canadians have a better relationship with their email inbox than with their mailbox.

Here’s the stark reality: while postal workers strike, the private sector fills the void. Couriers like UPS, FedEx, and Amazon don’t just wait in the wings—they swoop in and scoop up business. Customers, once diverted, rarely return. It’s a lot like the newspaper industry of yesteryear. Remember when the morning paper was an irreplaceable ritual? Now, if newsrooms don’t adapt, readers simply scroll elsewhere. Canada Post faces a similar choice: innovate and evolve, or become the next “Remember when?” story.

The irony is rich: a left-leaning government in power can’t even be accused of union bashing, yet the Crown corporation is still fumbling. Political leaders can’t keep using duct tape solutions like arbitration if the core business model is on life support. Canada Post is hemorrhaging money, running six consecutive years of losses, while clinging to the outdated assumption that it’s an essential service.

The hard truth is, Canadians are voting with their feet—and their wallets. And this holiday season, as cards and packages sit undelivered, many are learning they can live without Canada Post. As the saying goes: adapt, or perish. The postal workers striking now might be remembered as the ones who stamped the final nail into their own mailbox.

As Canada Post workers strike during the holiday season, Canadians are reminded of the irrelevance of the Crown corporation in an age dominated by digital communication and private couriers. Once the backbone of Canada’s economy during peak seasons like Christmas, Canada Post’s monopoly on letter mail and declining market share in parcel delivery have turned it into a costly relic. The strike, meant to push for better worker conditions, is ironically accelerating customer migration to nimbler competitors. By choosing the worst possible time to disrupt service, postal workers may have unwittingly hastened the demise of their own industry, leaving Canada Post a ghost of Christmas past.

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Wednesday August 2, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 2, 2023

Cry baby in the shopping cart

July 18, 2023

Inflation has been a significant concern for the Canadian economy, impacting all aspects of daily life, with grocery prices being hit the hardest. In recent months, the cost of living has surged by almost six percent, while grocery prices have soared nearly double that pace, leaving consumers feeling the pinch. As prices rise, the profits of big grocery chains have reached record highs, further exacerbating the disparity between their financial success and the plight of their low-wage workers.

Front-line grocery store workers at Metro, represented by Unifor Local 414, have taken a bold stance by going on strike, demanding fair treatment and wages that align with the company’s impressive profits. Over 3,000 workers across 27 Metro locations in the Greater Toronto Area are united in their fight for better pay and improved working conditions. Workers, like Tammy Laporte, a dedicated produce and fruit clerk with 25 years of service, want their contributions to be acknowledged through fair compensation.

Analysis: High stakes in Metro strike  

June 20, 2023

The issue of low wages is prevalent among grocery store employees, forcing many to live in debt and struggle to make ends meet. Workers like Austin Coyle, a meat manager, are among the highest paid but still find it challenging to afford basic living expenses in the high-priced city of Toronto. The situation is so dire that some employees are forced to turn to food banks because they cannot afford to buy groceries from the very stores they work in.

The grievances of the workers are not without cause. During the pandemic, grocery chains, including Metro, earned praise for their “hero pay” bonuses for front-line workers. However, these bonuses were swiftly cut once the companies saw an opportunity to boost their profits. This move, which came amidst record earnings for the grocery barons, further highlights their prioritization of financial gains over the well-being of their employees.

March 8, 2023

Despite recent negotiations, which saw a tentative deal between Metro and the union, Unifor, the proposed wage increases fall short of meeting the workers’ immediate needs. The workers’ demands for a $2-per-hour wage increase in the first year were not met, leading to the rejection of the deal. While the grocery chains claim that they are offering wages above inflation rates, it fails to address the workers’ struggles in affording basic expenses amidst soaring CEO compensations.

While big grocery chains assert that they are not profiting from inflation, experts argue that the current economic climate provides them with cover to raise retail prices. As prices increase, the profits of these companies surge, despite their claims of maintaining slim profit margins. Such practices further widen the gap between the grocery barons’ financial success and the difficulties faced by their employees.

December 8, 2016

The actions of big grocery barons during the inflation crisis have brought their priorities into question. Their record profits and reluctance to address the immediate needs of their low-wage workers highlight a significant disparity in wealth distribution. The brave stand taken by front-line grocery store workers at Metro illustrates the urgent need for fair wages and improved working conditions. As consumers, it is essential to support these workers in their fight for fairness and advocate for greater accountability from the grocery industry to ensure that profits are not amassed at the expense of hardworking employees. (AI) | Also printed in the Toronto Star.

Reposted to The Louisville Political Review: The Grocery Oligopoly: Are You In Good Hands?

 

Thursday April 13, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday April 13, 2023

Grocery Shopping: The New Jewelry Store Experience

September 29, 2022

Move over, Tiffany’s! The hottest place to shop for precious commodities is now your local supermarket. With prices soaring to new heights, Canadians are flocking to grocery chains with the same excitement and anticipation as shopping for gold, diamonds, and expensive gems in a jewelry store.

According to a recent survey by Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, a staggering 30 percent of Canadians believe that grocery chain price gouging is the main culprit behind skyrocketing food prices. It seems that the CEOs of the country’s biggest supermarket chains, Loblaw, Empire, and Metro, have failed to convince the public of their transparency and honesty, with only 25 percent of Canadians trusting their data-sharing efforts. Consumer trust, which is critical for the food industry, has taken a nosedive in recent months, as Canadians grapple with the highest grocery inflation in 40 years, while the profits of these grocery giants hit all-time highs.

But fear not, dear shoppers, for the CEOs of these supermarket chains have reassured us that food inflation is lower in Canada compared to other G7 countries, and that their profit margins are razor-thin. It’s not like they’re raking in massive profits while Canadians struggle to put food on the table, right?

Opinion: What Canadians want in the food sector  

March 8, 2023

In fact, there are many factors at play here, according to the survey. Nearly 30 percent of Canadians also blame monetary and fiscal policies for driving up food prices. How fascinating! Who knew that the world of grocery shopping could be so complex and multi-faceted, akin to the intricate world of precious gems?

And let’s not forget about the lack of competition in the marketplace, which many respondents highlighted as a major driving force behind unreasonable food costs. With only five leading retailers, including the top three grocers, commanding over 75 percent of the market, it’s no wonder Canadians are feeling the pinch. Who needs choices and options anyway? It’s much more exciting to go to the grocery store and pay whatever exorbitant price is slapped on that carton of eggs or loaf of bread.

For small independent grocers, the situation is even bleaker. Rising rent, inflation, and the overwhelming dominance of supermarket chains make it nearly impossible for them to keep up. They are left with no choice but to buy supplies from their competitors, the very same grocery chains that are driving them out of business. Talk about a David versus Goliath situation!

News: One in three Canadians believe grocery store price gouging is the main reason for food price increases: survey  

December 10, 2021

But fear not, dear shoppers, for a Canadian grocery code of conduct is expected to be finalized soon, promising to address the power imbalance caused by consolidation among grocery retailers and promote “fair and ethical dealing” across the supply chain. It remains to be seen whether this code of conduct will truly restore trust within the industry, but hey, a little glimmer of hope is better than nothing, right?

So, the next time you head to the supermarket, be prepared for an exhilarating shopping experience, akin to searching for rare gems in a high-end jewelry store. Who needs affordable and transparent grocery shopping anyway? Happy shopping, and may the odds be ever in your favor! After all, who doesn’t love a little adventure and mystery when it comes to putting food on the table? (AI)

 

Wednesday January 11, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday January 11, 2023

Federal government inks deal to buy fleet of F-35 fighter jets

January 12, 2022

Canada has signed off on the final contract to buy F-35 jet fighters to replace the air force’s aging CF-18s, Defence Minister Anita Anand said Monday.

The final agreement for 88 warplanes — involving the Canadian and U.S. governments and the jet’s manufacturer — won’t see its first delivery until 2026 and the first F-35 squadrons will not be operational until 2029, senior defence officials said during a technical briefing before the minister’s announcement.

The project’s budget of $19 billion remains the same as originally forecast by the Liberal government when it signalled the purchase last year. Anand and other government officials are sticking to that projection despite the likely effect of inflation — which has caused budgets for other major programs to rise dramatically.

The deal represents a dramatic turnaround for the Liberal government, which promised not to buy the F-35 and to instead purchase a cheaper jet fighter and use the savings to bolster the navy.

July 19, 2010

The Conservative government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper first announced plans to go with the Lockheed-Martin-built jet in the summer of 2010.

The plan was shelved in the face of criticism from both the parliamentary budget officer and the auditor general, who questioned the cost and whether defence officials had done enough homework on other aircraft that might meet the air force’s needs.

The F-35 has experienced some high-profile glitches and mechanical problems over the years.

A second senior defence official, also speaking on background Monday, said that Canada will get the latest version of the F-35 — Lot 18, Block 4 — which has the most advanced technology. 

Anand said Monday that, because the government waited to purchase until now, Canada will be buying a proven aircraft that other allies are using now. She said the stealth fighter’s technology has evolved to the point where it no longer has issues, and Canadians can be confident the government did its due diligence.

October 7, 2014

Conservative defence critic James Bezan was scathing in his response to the announcement. He said it took the Liberals far too long to come to the conclusion that the F-35 is the appropriate aircraft and accused the government of engaging in “political games” to avoid embarrassing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“This is a situation where he originally said he would never buy the F-35 and did everything in his power to stop it from actually happening, but at the end of the day, this is the only modern fighter jet that can deliver the capabilities Canada so desperately needs,” Bezan said.

“And so here we are today, where Justin Trudeau has to eat crow and do what’s right for Canada, do what’s right for the Royal Canadian Air Force, and do it right for our NORAD and NATO allies.” (CBC News) 

 

Tuesday November 23, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 23, 2021

Crossing The Canada-US Border For Shopping & Visiting Family Is About To Get So Much Cheaper

October 14, 2021

Crossing the Canada-U.S. border for short trips like shopping or visiting relatives is about to get a whole lot cheaper, thanks to an update to Canada’s travel restrictions.

On Friday, November 19, federal officials confirmed that COVID-19 testing requirements will be dropped for eligible travellers who are leaving Canada for 72 hours or less.

From Tuesday, November 30, fully vaccinated people with right of entry to Canada will be able to skip the pre-entry molecular test, meaning they’ll be able to return home without forking out hundreds for a PCR test.

This applies to people travelling via land or air, as long as they’re able to demonstrate that they’ve been out of the country for three days or under.

November 27, 2020

As the COVID-19 tests approved to enter the country can cost at least $100, this update means taking short trips just got much cheaper.

It also means those driving across the Canada-U.S. border will no longer be required to spend any money on COVID-19 testing, as the American land border does not require fully vaccinated travellers to take a COVID-19 test prior to entry.

It’s worth noting that people flying into the United States will still be required to take a test before arriving, although rapid antigen tests are accepted.

Unfortunately for people dreaming of lengthy vacations, the rules will not change for people leaving Canada for over 72 hours. In this case, passengers will still be expected to take a pre-entry molecular test before arriving. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.

If you do still need to take a molecular test, Rexall Pharmacy sells a take-home test starting at $200, while Costco sells do-it-yourself PCR tests for $120. Air Canada has its own version priced from $149. 

Some U.S. pharmacies do offer free PCR testing, although there are some risks to be aware of. (Narcity)