Charities in B.C. taking hit as Canada Post strike continues

This year’s Giving Tuesday poses significant challenges for charities in British Columbia, as the ongoing Canada Post strike has led to a notable decline in donations.

Since November 15, more than 55,000 postal workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have been on strike, disrupting mail services across the country. With negotiations currently stalled, the government has called for a swift resolution to the dispute.

The strike has caused delays in delivering thousands of packages and letters, leaving many charities unable to send out end-of-year fundraising brochures or receive cash and cheque donations through the mail.

Angela Chapman, CEO of the Vancouver General Hospital and University of B.C. Hospital Foundation, reported a 15% drop in donations compared to previous years. "We’re estimating that the impact with the current drop in sales will be about $1 million," she said. To offset the shortfall, the foundation, which typically raises funds through luxury home raffles, is exploring alternative methods and encouraging online donations.

Broader Impact on Charities

The decline in donations is not unique to one organization. Nicole Danesi, a spokesperson for the online charity tracker CanadaHelps, noted that other charities, including the Canadian Cancer Society, have also reported significant impacts. "The Canadian Cancer Society, for example, has already experienced about a 60% decrease in offline donations through direct mail, amounting to about $2 million," she explained. Danesi described the situation as "the nightmare before Christmas" for Canadian charities, many of which are now scrambling to find alternative ways to secure funding.

Giving Tuesday, observed annually on the first Tuesday after U.S. Thanksgiving, is typically a crucial time for charities to boost donations. Danesi emphasized the importance of this day, particularly during the ongoing labor dispute, and urged Canadians to consider donating online. She also highlighted a worrying trend: the percentage of Canadians giving to registered charities has dropped from 25% in 2010 to 17% in 2021. “We really want to remind Canadians that charities across the country are providing critical work for individuals in need and also for every single one of us,” she added.

Government Response

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon addressed the postal strike in a post on X, urging both sides to fulfill their responsibility to resolve the dispute, which is affecting Canadians nationwide.

As the strike continues, charities are navigating an increasingly difficult landscape, relying on digital platforms and other creative approaches to sustain their essential work.