Will Santa's letters to children be delayed by the strike at Canada Post?
Since the program began more than 40 years ago, Santa's North Pole Post Office has delivered replies for more than 45 million letters.
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Santa has supported unions since the Great Elven Uprising of 1884. That’s what I like to think, anyway.
And that’s why I’m certain that while he’s respecting the striking workers at Canada Post, Santa will have pen and paper at hand when all the mail from Canadian children starts to arrive.
Letters addressed to the North Pole usually start to fly in mid- to late November, Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Liu says. That corresponds exactly with when postal workers went on strike Nov. 15, demanding better wages, working conditions and pensions, among other issues.
Postal strikes held in 2011 and 2018 ended when the federal government passed legislation sending employees back to work. The last postal work stoppage took place starting in late October 2018, when employees carried out rotating strikes lasting 31 days.
Because of the current strike, “we are unable to get mail to and from Santa in the North Pole,” Liu said.
Postal workers who volunteer their time to help Santa write letters aren’t happy about it, either.
“We are disappointed that negotiations with Canada Post have impacted this program, as it is a tradition cherished by CUPW members,” the Canadian Union of Postal Workers told The Gazette.
Santa’s helpers got letters out to 1.4 million children worldwide last year, Lui said. Since the program began more than 40 years ago, Santa’s North Pole Post Office has delivered replies for more than 45 million letters.
“Postal workers love their jobs and would rather be serving their communities than be on strike,” CUPW said. “We continue to meet with Canada Post and federal mediators to help us negotiate collective agreements so we can return to work and help the public celebrate the season.”
Kids who want to write Santa should be encouraged to do so. They get to express their wishes, practice writing and invite magic into their lives for a little bit longer. If you’re concerned they won’t get a response in time, enlist a friend to be Santa’s helpers’ helper. Getting a letter in the mail is an extra special thing every kid should experience — and it helps out the Crown corporation, too.
Canada Post has reported $3 billion in losses since 2018, as Canadians sent fewer letters while competitors gobbled up even more of the parcel market.
“When operations do resume, we will help Santa by delivering a response to every letter sent to him this year,” Liu said.
You don’t need a stamp to send the big guy a letter. Address it to:
Santa Claus
North Pole
H0H 0H0
Canada
Help make other families’ holiday season a little brighter by donating to the Gazette Christmas Fund.
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The Financial Post contributed to this report.
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