Ongoing postal strike could create 'life-or-death situation' in Manitoba's north, say residents

The Canada-wide postal strike is impacting a wide swath of the country but for some in northern Manitoba, the lack of delivery is becoming dire.

"For us northern communities, Canada Post is an absolute necessity," said Brandon Dulewich, the mayor of the small town of Lynn Lake, about 800 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

"We need it [in order ] to function as a town."

Lynn Lake does have road access but many couriers like Purolator and UPS don't service it, Dulewich said.

Some in the town — which doesn't have a pharmacy — are facing issues getting their medical prescriptions, he said. 

"Everybody gets their medications delivered [by] Canada Post. If it doesn't get going again soon, it could be a life-or-death situation with some citizens."

Over in Pimicikamak Cree Nation, about 320 kilometres southeast of Lynn Lake Chief Davis Monias is also paying close attention to the ongoing strike, which started Nov. 15. 

The community does have a small pharmacy but other medical supplies must come by mail. People also rely on Canada Post for the delivery of cheques for social assistance, pensions and health benefits, he said.

"This really hurts our families," he said. "They really rely on their income coming through there."

The Manitoba government announced the opening of drop-off and pick-up locations last week for what it called "essential mail." That includes cheques, court orders, educational materials, medical supplies and resources required to maintain health-care services and other prioritized items. 

The full list of locations including what kind of mail can be picked up or dropped off can be found online.

'We don't get the option of a courier' 

Meanwhile, a woman who lives in Snow Lake — 140 kilometres west of Pimicikamak — said the strike can't end soon enough. 

Erika Geisheimer ordered a snowsuit for her 14-month-old son about a week before the strike. It's now stuck in Winnipeg.

The only way to get another one now would be to drive hours away to The Pas or Flin Flon, she said. 

"Only Canada post comes up [here]. We don't get the option of a courier," said Geisheimer. "Couriers take their items or parcels to a Canada Post location in Winnipeg and from there … [Canada Post] sends it up."

Canada Post, in a statement Sunday, said in an effort to move talks forward it presented the Canadian Union of Postal Workers with "a comprehensive framework for reaching negotiated agreements." 

That framework included proposals to bring greater flexibility to Canada Post's delivery model, while also "demonstrating movement on other key issues," the statement said. 

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said on its website Sunday that its negotiators were reviewing the framework documents, noting the union and Canada Post have adjusted their demands in the hope of restarting talks.

There hasn't been word from the mediator that talks will resume, the statement said.

In its statement Sunday, Canada Post said it would not be providing further details outside of the negotiations, in order to facilitate talks.

"We understand the impact [the union's] national strike is having on our employees and so many Canadians," the statement said.

"Canada Post remains committed to negotiating new collective agreements that will provide our employees and customers with the certainty they are looking for."