Canada Post Union Shifts to Rotating Strikes Amid Ongoing Dispute

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has announced a transition from a nationwide strike to rotating strikes, starting at 6 a.m. local time on Saturday. This shift aims to facilitate the movement of mail and parcels across Canada while addressing ongoing disputes regarding changes to Canada Post’s operational mandate.

The decision follows a meeting on Wednesday with Joël Lightbound, the federal minister responsible for Canada Post. Union officials expressed their concerns about recent alterations to the postal service’s operations and indicated that they will meet with the minister’s office again next week to continue discussions.

Employment Data and Economic Insights

In addition to the labor unrest, Statistics Canada is set to release employment data for September today. A poll conducted by Reuters indicates that Canadian employers likely added around 5,000 jobs last month, a partial recovery from a steep loss of approximately 66,000 positions in August. Notably, TD Bank senior economist Andrew Hencic predicts a potential loss of 35,000 jobs in September, urging caution regarding the interpretation of the headline employment figures. This report will be significant for the Bank of Canada, which recently lowered its policy rate to 2.5 percent and is expected to announce its next rate decision on October 29, 2025.

Political Developments and Educational Concerns

In political news, Prime Minister Mark Carney has tasked his cabinet ministers with identifying three to five “key objectives” to streamline government operations and enhance efficiency. This directive, communicated in a letter dated July 8, 2025, aims to align the government’s priorities with its core missions, including economic reform and cost reduction for Canadians.

Meanwhile, concerns have emerged regarding educational resources during the ongoing teachers’ strike in Alberta. Maren Aukerman, an education expert from the University of Calgary, criticized the online lessons provided by the provincial government as “incoherent” and poorly aligned with the curriculum. The strike, the largest in Alberta’s history, has left many students without formal instruction.

In other news, advocates in Newfoundland and Labrador are raising alarms over the province’s approach to homelessness. Sherri Chippett from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network reported that local homeless individuals are being relocated to towns with more services, rather than receiving support in their own communities.

Lastly, J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, reacted to the Vancouver Board of Parks’ decision to disavow her following a controversy regarding her views on transgender issues. Rowling downplayed the board’s actions, humorously stating that she had not been aware of any official “avowal” and suggested she would accept a certificate to commemorate the event.

This report was originally published on October 10, 2025, by The Canadian Press, offering a comprehensive overview of significant national issues affecting Canadians today.