Canada Post quarterly loss tops $300M as strike hits second week — and rivals step in MONTREAL — Canada Post saw hundreds of millions of dollars drain out of its coffers last quarter, due largely to its dwindling share of the parcels market — while an ongoing strike continues to batter its bottom line. Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press Nov 22, 2024 12:23 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Canada Post says it lost $315 million before tax in the third quarter compared with a loss before tax of $290 million a year earlier.Canada Post signage is seen during a national strike action in Ottawa, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby Listen to this article 00:01:14 MONTREAL — Canada Post saw hundreds of millions of dollars drain out of its coffers last quarter, due largely to its dwindling share of the parcels market — while an ongoing strike continues to batter its bottom line. The Crown corporation said Friday it lost $315 million before tax in the third quarter, larger than its $290 million loss a year earlier. "An increasingly crowded and highly competitive e-commerce delivery market continued to impact parcels results in the third quarter of 2024," Canada Post said. The number of packages dropped by six million or nearly 10 per cent year-over-year. Letter mail volumes also eroded further, though revenue nudged up due to a hike in stamp prices, it said. The financial results put Canada Post on track for "another significant loss" in 2024, which would mark the seventh year in a row in the red. They also come as Canada Post deals with an ongoing shutdown of its operations after more than 55,000 workers across the country walked off the job on Nov. 15. The two sides have been wrangling over wages and contract work as well as job security, benefits and working conditions. Amid the sudden halt of deliveries — government benefit cheques are among the few exceptions — business has increased at other shipping outfits. "We have record numbers of shippers within the last week. Our volumes — we’re just trying to keep up," said Kevin Ham, CEO of e-commerce shipping platform Chit Chats. "Everybody’s at full capacity." Purolator, which is majority-owned by Canada Post, said this week its volumes rose by double digits due to the job action. Meanwhile, FedEx has implemented a "contingency plan" to manage higher volumes, the company said earlier this week. Profit margins for shippers may be widening too, at least temporarily. Montreal-based pantyhose maker Sheertex said that alternative carriers, overloaded with orders, have implemented "significant surge pricing" on shipments. Small businesses especially have felt the squeeze of the strike, as store owners and entrepreneurs frantically search for workarounds to get orders to customers quickly and affordably. "It’s a hard time of year for both sellers — like e-commerce sellers — as well as consumers. The consumers are ordering, and if it was in the Canada Post network, their shipments are stuck," said Ham, who added that Chit Chats handles deliveries for some 12,000 online shippers each month ranging from boutique sock makers to jewelry designers. Even big corporations face hurdles. "Customers shipping to PO boxes and more rural areas may see delays," said Walmart Canada spokeswoman Stephanie Fusco in an email. However, she said most consumers making online purchases directly from the company — rather than from third-party sellers on its site — would see "minimal impact." The last postal work stoppage took place starting in late October 2018, when employees carried out rotating strikes lasting 31 days. That strike as well as one in 2011 ended when the federal government passed legislation sending employees back to work. Canada Post has reported more than $3 billion in losses since 2018, as Canadians sent fewer letters while competitors gobbled up even more of the parcel market. Households received seven letters a week on average in 2006, but only two per week last year, according to Canada Post’s latest annual report, which dubbed the trend "the Great Mail Decline." Both the union and the Crown corporation have pushed expanded parcel deliveries as a way to boost revenue, but they differ on how to go about it. The union says full-time employees should deliver package shipments on weekends at overtime wage rates, while Canada Post hopes to hire contract workers. According to last year's annual report, the postal service’s share of the parcel market eroded from 62 per cent before the COVID-19 pandemic to 29 per cent last year, as Amazon and other competitors seized on skyrocketing demand for next-day doorstep deliveries. — With files from Tara Deschamps in Toronto This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business S&P/TSX composite up Friday, U.S. stock markets also rise Nov 22, 2024 1:23 PM U.S. court tosses hostile workplace, pay discrimination claims against BlackBerry Nov 22, 2024 1:19 PM New Brunswick oysters test positive for dermo disease, first confirmed case in Canada Nov 22, 2024 1:14 PM Featured Flyerwolfy casino no deposit bonus 2023 。

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Founded in 2022 by six animal lovers, The Stray Affairs feeds approximately 150 dogs and 100 cats. Without the volunteers, these animals are at risk of malnutrition and dehydration, as their surroundings provide little access to food and clean water. The environments they live in also pose significant dangers to the animals because of the presence of heavy machinery, moving vehicles and hazardous materials that can cause injury or death. “I felt their life was hard enough living in such conditions. So I tried to make a difference, one stray at a time,” said The Stray Affairs co-founder Daryl Mah, 26, who has been feeding strays since his junior college days. The areas covered by the group – Kranji, Lim Chu Kang and Neo Tiew – are mainly industrial estates, which are the preferred refuge for stray animals. “Housing estates are usually developed and bustling with human activity,” explained Mr Mah, a final-year student at Nanyang Technological University. “Industrial estates, on the other hand, are quieter, with forested patches and large factory spaces that offer plenty of hiding spots where strays can go unnoticed.” Even as more factories and warehouses in these areas are abandoned (top) after their leases end, strays continue to reside within the compounds because of their familiarity with the environment. The animals are not trapped and can squeeze through gaps in fences and gates. Since its inception, The Stray Affairs has steadily grown to include 432 volunteers aged 20 to 54, representing a diverse mix of students, civil servants and professionals from the private sector. About 10 to 18 volunteers participate in the weekly missions. They feed the strays on Saturday nights, to minimise disturbance to the people who work in the industrial estates. The volunteers first gather at a warehouse in Kranji to mix 70kg to 80kg of food (below), dividing it into portions. Teams of four then spread out across Kranji, Lim Chu Kang and Neo Tiew, delivering the meals to the waiting strays from 7pm to 10pm. Another co-founder, Ms Ng Weiling (below), dedicates almost an entire day every fortnight to preparing food for the strays. “Even though it is tiring to prepare such a large quantity of food, the strays are counting on us,” said Ms Ng, who declined to give her age. “Stray cats often hunt for rats (below) and lizards, while dogs may search for food by rummaging through bins or eating workers’ leftover scraps. If no food is found, both the cats and dogs can go hungry until feeders arrive to help.” Initially, the founding members bore the expenses themselves. “It costs almost $300 to feed the strays every week,” said Ms Ng. Over time, donations of food and money began to trickle in from supporters, but financial strain remains a persistent challenge. Other difficulties also arise, including occasions when factory owners insult them for feeding the strays outside their premises. There is a misconception that feeding of strays is illegal or disruptive. “When people find out I feed strays, I often get questions like, ‘Isn’t it illegal? Do the strays bite?’” said Ms Ng. While the National Parks Board (NParks) regulates feeding in nature reserves and parks, feeding strays elsewhere is permitted if done responsibly – avoiding litter and public nuisance, which includes trespassing. In restricted areas, however, feeding must be avoided as it could attract wildlife, posing health risks and environmental issues. “While feeding community cats and free-roaming dogs is often well intentioned, it requires responsible practices,” said Dr Audrey Chen, director of the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) under NParks. “By adopting these responsible feeding practices, we can significantly reduce public health concerns and safety issues, fostering a better environment for the peaceful coexistence of humans and animals.” Guidelines for responsible feeding are available in handbooks on caring for community cats and stray dogs, published through collaborations with animal welfare groups and accessible on the AVS website. The Stray Affairs seeks permission from factory owners before entering their premises. If entry is denied, the volunteers will slide the food portions under the gate for the animals. The group also ensures responsible feeding practices, such as providing only 500g of food per dog and one small can per cat, while prioritising cleanliness. “We scoop food into containers and pour water separately, cleaning up thoroughly after the strays have eaten,” said Mr Mah. The volunteers also go the extra mile by removing other rubbish (below) in the area to set a positive example. While information on responsible stray feeding is readily available on the NParks website, Mr Mah still recommends partnering with someone who is more familiar and experienced. “If you’re unsure, collaborate with community feeders. This prevents overfeeding and helps maintain a routine,” he said, while carefully sliding food under the gate of an abandoned factory. The work of The Stray Affairs goes beyond feeding. The group also helps the animals find homes or shelters and takes them to the vet. Strays often face health problems, from malnutrition to injuries. For example, a dog named Bobby was diagnosed with a tick-borne disease, babesiosis, which attacks red blood cells. Over several months, the costs for triage, specialist treatment and palliative care by multiple veterinary clinics totalled about $7,504, even after discounts from partner clinics. Unfortunately, Bobby died of the disease on Oct 15. “Vet bills are insanely high. The same paracetamol at a vet costs three times more than at a polyclinic,” Mr Mah said. “But nothing feels worse than watching an animal suffer because we can’t afford treatment.” When the volunteers take a stray to a clinic, they cover the costs out of their own pockets before turning to online platforms to seek donations. On the rare occasion that The Stray Affairs receives excess funds, the surplus is allocated for feeding the strays or reserved for future treatments. Currently, the group lacks sufficient funds even for routine vet consultations, let alone emergency care. When funds fall short, the volunteers personally cover the difference. To raise awareness and recruit volunteers, The Stray Affairs also participates in outreach events such as the Pawsome Pawty, organised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or SPCA. These events educate the public on responsible feeding and animal care, inspiring new members to join the cause. The volunteers also extend their support to migrant workers (below), who often encounter strays at dormitories or workplaces. By providing canned food and guidance, The Stray Affairs helps the migrant workers feed the animals safely and responsibly throughout the week. “The end goal is to have no more strays in Singapore. We know it’s a long shot, but we can take baby steps, whether it’s through taking them to the vet for neutering or helping to find them a shelter or a home,” said Ms Ng. Until then, The Stray Affairs continues its mission, driven by compassion and a deep commitment to giving strays a chance at a better life. More articles

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