Close X
Thursday, December 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. charities worried Canada Post strike will affect fundraising efforts

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Nov, 2024 12:08 PM
  • B.C. charities worried Canada Post strike will affect fundraising efforts

Some B.C. charities and not-for-profits said they are worried the Canada Post strike will jeopardize their year-end fundraising efforts. 

Nicole Mucci, a spokeswoman for Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, said 50 per cent of the organization's revenue normally comes between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and a mail strike at this time of the year is "detrimental" since so many donations come in the mail. 

Mucci said the Mission supports the postal workers' fight and hopes there will be a resolution soon, and in the meantime they are exploring other ways to connect with donors.

“Our team is having to revisit how they're going to send out certain things or how they're going to connect with our donors, just because we do send out quite a bit of mail at this time of year,” said Mucci.

Workers at Canada Post went on strike Friday after failing to reach a negotiated agreement with their employer. 

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process.

Meanwhile, Canada Post said it's "disappointed" with the decision, which will "have a significant and immediate affect millions of Canadians, small businesses and charities who count on Canada Post during the busy holiday season."

Gregory Ould, co-founder of Vancouver-based charity Blanket BC Society, said his organization counts on large donations through the mail from a Canadian mattress company to help people in the winter, and he's worried the strike will affect the families, refugees and homeless people the organization serves. 

Ould said the society usually distributes about 5,000 to 8,000 blankets between this time of the year and December, and if the strike drags on, it will affect the amount of blankets they can distribute this winter. 

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said in a post on X, previously known as Twitter, that he has formally appointed Peter Simpson, director general of the federal mediation and conciliation services, as a special mediator to support negotiations between the two parties. 

Canadians need Canada Post and the union to reach an agreement and the government is “making sure that these two groups have everything they need to reach a deal," he said in his post on Thursday. 

As Canadians are exploring other ways to get their holiday gifts shipped, both Ould and Mucci are appealing for people not to forget about donating amid the strike. 

Mucci said it would be great if people could consider going online to make donations. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Foreign interference inquiry's final report now due by end of January

Foreign interference inquiry's final report now due by end of January
The federal government is giving an inquiry into foreign interference an extra month to complete its work.  Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue's final report is now due by the end of January, a month later than expected. 

Foreign interference inquiry's final report now due by end of January

Other countries seeking out advice from Canada ahead of Trump return: Joly

Other countries seeking out advice from Canada ahead of Trump return: Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Donald Trump's return to the White House has boosted Canada's influence in the world as other international partners turn to Canada for advice on how to deal with him.  Joly made the comments in Peru, where she was attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Other countries seeking out advice from Canada ahead of Trump return: Joly

Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries

Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canada Post workers hit the picket lines Friday after contract negotiations with their employer failed to conclude by the strike deadline — and Ottawa is signalling it's not ready to intervene. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process.

Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries

Whistler, Pemberton, Sea-to-Sky Highway in B.C.to get 'significant snowfall'

Whistler, Pemberton, Sea-to-Sky Highway in B.C.to get 'significant snowfall'
Whistler is expected to get its first "significant snowfall" of the season this weekend. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the winter resort as well as for Pemberton and the Sea-to-Sky Highway between Squamish and Whistler. 

Whistler, Pemberton, Sea-to-Sky Highway in B.C.to get 'significant snowfall'

Vancouver police say one person taken into custody, later released, in hate case

Vancouver police say one person taken into custody, later released, in hate case
One person was taken into custody over what Vancouver Police say is part of a hate-crime investigation. A statement from the department says officers from its Major Crime Section and Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant on a home in the 1800 block of East 1st Avenue on Thursday. 

Vancouver police say one person taken into custody, later released, in hate case

Man arrested for theft of logging truck

Man arrested for theft of logging truck
Mounties in Quesnel say they have arrested a man who was caught with a stolen logging truck, who then tried to escape on a stolen motorcycle. Police say the truck, worth 65-thousand dollars, was taken early yesterday morning.

Man arrested for theft of logging truck