The Canadian postal service, Canada Post, may lockout its employees on or after Friday, July 8, which would delay the return of work permits and temporary resident visas from Canadian government offices, and would affect consulates that utilize Canada Post, including U.S. consulates.

Background

All immigration documentation from Canadian government offices is returned through Canada Post, either by regular mail or ExpressPost (which is run by Canada Post). In the event of a strike or lockout, Canada Post will deliver or accept mail only one day of the month.

While Canada Post and the federal government continue to negotiate, Canada Post has issued its mandated 72-hour lockout notice, and is now able to lockout Canada Post employees on or after July 8. The last time the Canadian postal service was interrupted was in 2011, when Canada Post employees went on strike, and which resulted in 10 days of rotating strikes before employees were legislated back to work by the federal government.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

If a strike or lockout occurs, foreign nationals awaiting approvals should contact their immigration professional to determine if an alternative method is available to obtain documentation back from various immigration offices in Canada.

Further updates will be published if a strike or lockout occurs.

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