In response to a prolonged labour dispute between Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the federal Minister of Labour appointed an Industrial Inquiry Commission under Section 108 of the Canada Labour Code in December 2024. The dispute, which involved strike action by CUPW’s Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carrier bargaining units, caused significant service disruptions and raised broader concerns about the sustainability of Canada Post’s operations. The Commission, chaired by William Kaplan, was tasked with investigating the underlying causes of the dispute and making associated recommendations.
The Commission released its highly anticipated report on May 15, 2025. The report analyses the root causes of the dispute, including highlighting the significant pressures facing Canada Post’s operational model. It also offers key recommendations for reforming both the Corporation’s regulatory framework and its collective agreements with CUPW in order to support Canada Post’s ongoing viability.
Fasken acted as counsel to Canada Post throughout the proceedings, with representation by a team led by Jackie VanDerMeulen and Dominique L’Heureux, including Chris Pigott, Gillian Round, Rachel Counsell and Andrea Morin.
Jurisdiction
- Canada
