Canada Post today stands as a symbol of a bloated and outdated public sector — one that still operates with a 1990s mindset. Meanwhile, south of the border, the United States, with all its dysfunctions, continues to show greater flexibility and adaptability — even in the face of a full federal government shutdown.
U.S. Postal Service: Independent, Accountable, and Uninterrupted
As of October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government is officially shut down. And yet, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced that operations will continue without interruption:
“Because we are an independent entity that is generally funded through the sale of our products and services, and not by tax dollars, our services will not be impacted by a government shutdown.”
— USPS Statement, September 25, 2025
The USPS, although frequently bailed out, is at least positioned as a service provider within the national debt framework, not hidden behind the veil of a Crown Corporation. USPS employees are aware that the leverage of a strike does not work when your employer is already bankrupt and reliant on taxpayer bailouts. Their labor union recognizes the need to maintain public trust and voter goodwill — especially during an election cycle.
Canada Post: Entitled, Unaccountable, and Interfering with Democracy
Canada Post, on the other hand, is striking during an actual Canadian election cycle, interrupting mail-in voting and government communications. One could argue this undermines democratic process. Yet, according to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), this is not only justified — it’s their leverage.
CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant recently dismissed Canada Post’s insolvency concerns by stating:
CUPW – Jim Gallant “Government can’t be insolvent.”
While it’s true that governments can print money, that doesn’t mean such money retains its purchasing power — or that public sector wage demands can be met without economic consequences. Gallant’s statement reflects the prevailing entitlement mindset of many Canadian public sector unions: regardless of operational deficits or productivity, the taxpayer is expected to foot the bill.
Canadian Taxpayers vs. Public Sector Privilege
Canada Post, as a Crown Corporation, is already heavily indebted to the federal government. CUPW’s tone signals an alarming detachment from fiscal responsibility. Worse still, there’s little public accountability. Unlike American unions, Canadian public sector unions do not have to contend with voter blowback in the same way.
This isn’t isolated to postal services. The Ontario public school system offers a parallel. In recent years, strikes often follow Liberal electoral victories. Teachers’ unions in Ontario have a pattern of walking off the job frequently, knowing they are shielded by political allies and public-sector favoritism.
But Ontario voters have had enough. Despite public posturing in support of teachers, election results show that voters quietly punish politicians who enable these strikes. The Progressive Conservative government continues to win, largely because voters are tired of disruptions they’re forced to fund.
Should Canada Post Remain a Crown Corporation?
Crown Corporations like Canada Post effectively conceal federal debt. The U.S. government includes postal service liabilities as part of national debt calculations. In Canada, Crown Corporations distort the financial picture, creating the illusion of a healthier fiscal position than reality supports.
Mark Carney was elected with a mandate to bring fiscal discipline. Many Canadians viewed him as a more financially responsible version of Justin Trudeau — someone capable of countering the Trump era with economic logic. But Carney never addressed the growing liabilities of Crown Corporations like Canada Post, likely to avoid political fallout.
Now, Canada Post’s strike is interfering with democratic operations — something no public service should have the power to do. Unlike the USPS, which remains operational during a full U.S. government shutdown, Canada Post paralyzes core functions of government in the middle of an election.
Conclusion: Public Sector Reform Must Be On the Table
The CUPW’s stance — that government can never be insolvent — is not a financial argument; it’s an entitlement statement. But modern economic realities demand more than entitlement. They require productivity, responsibility, and accountability.
As long as Crown Corporations are allowed to strike without consequence — and expect taxpayers and private businesses to absorb their financial failures — the Canadian dollar will continue on a path of debasement. Inflation will grow. Deficits will mount. And Canada will become less attractive to entrepreneurs and global investment.
If Canada wants to be competitive, it must rethink the power and structure of its public sector — starting with Canada Post.
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