Guide
Canada Post strike or service disruption: what happens to your parcel
Labour action, extreme weather and network outages can pause Canada Post deliveries. This page explains what to expect and what you can do. For the current situation, always check Canada Post's own alerts.
What to do, step by step
- Check the official status. Canada Post posts service alerts on its website. Our status page links to every carrier's alerts.
- Track the parcel. Paste the tracking number. During a stoppage, scans pause; the last scan shows where the parcel is held.
- Don't assume it's lost. Mail already in the network is normally held safely and delivered in order once service resumes.
- Contact the sender. Online stores can often cancel and re-ship with a courier, or refund. The sender is the carrier's customer, not you.
- Ship new parcels by courier. Purolator, UPS, FedEx, Canpar and Intelcom run separate networks. Expect higher prices and volume limits during a disruption.
How tracking behaves during a disruption
- Electronic information submitted — the label exists but the parcel may not be accepted until service resumes.
- In transit with no new scans — the parcel is likely held at a facility.
- Delivery dates shown before the disruption are no longer reliable.
- After service resumes, expect a backlog; scans can take days to catch up.
Parcels coming from outside Canada
International mail is usually handed to Canada Post for final delivery, so it may sit at an international processing centre. Couriers that clear their own shipments (UPS, FedEx, DHL, Purolator) are generally not affected. See customs guide.
Alternatives for new shipments
Compare costs with the shipping calculator. ParcelPath.ca is independent and not affiliated with Canada Post.