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Toronto Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Jobs minister meets with Canada Post union reps as overtime ban persists
Published May 30, 2025 • 1 minute read Canada Post trucks. Photo by CHRISTINE MUSCHI / CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is meeting with postal union officials in Ottawa today amid an overtime ban and declining mail volumes at a beleaguered Canada Post. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says the afternoon sit-down is going ahead with secretary of state for labour John Zerucelli present as well after on-and-off negotiations resumed Wednesday. Canada Post presented its 'final offers' to the union representing 55,000 workers earlier this week, with concessions including an end to compulsory overtime and a signing bonus of up to $1,000. But it stuck to a proposal for a 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years and part-time staff on weekend shifts — a major sticking point in the talks. The Crown corporation said this week it logged nearly $1.3 billion in operating losses last year, raising further questions about its business model as letter volumes plunge and fears of a second strike in six months persist. The union says rallies are planned across the country on Saturday. Read More Crime World Olympics Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors
Toronto Sun
26-05-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
AGAR: Once a week is just fine for Canada Post mail delivery
Canada Post trucks. Photo by CHRISTINE MUSCHI / CANADIAN PRESS The post office can no longer afford to deliver mail to your door every day. Get over it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Perhaps the solution is not community mailboxes. I'm from a community on the Prairies that's never had home delivery of the mail. That's why I find it surprising to read of people who think the sky will fall and it will rain frogs if they don't get their mail delivered to their sofa every day. Global News ran a story that begins, 'Judy Frank says no longer getting mail at her door would make life harder. 'The 78-year-old Regina woman is unable to walk more than a few steps and says she would need someone to pick up her mail if Canada Post stops door-to-door service. ''It's very dangerous,' Frank said in a recent interview, pointing to the uneven and cracked sidewalk outside her home.' I don't know how older or housebound people got their mail in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba, back in the day. My father ran the post office and I don't remember him taking the mail to anyone's house. Perhaps a friend or relative handled it. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Most of the people in my town lived farther from the post office than people live from their community mailbox — and somehow, we all survived. Canada Post estimates it would save about $350 million per year by converting to community boxes and says it can do that while still delivering to those with disabilities. Okay, then Frank has nothing to worry about if her mail is still being delivered to her home. Global also interviewed Melissa Graham, executive director of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities in Winnipeg, who said replacing door-to-door mail with community boxes has created barriers. '(Boxes) used to ice up. They used to be in areas that were difficult to get to, if you had a mobility disability,' Graham said. 'They often didn't have braille, so you could not find your mailbox easily.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. I'm sure some people never leave the house for family visits, groceries, doctor appointments, etc., such that they can't go half a block for the mail a few days a week. Regardless, I still think the post office's solution of community mailboxes is the wrong way to go. You cannot convince me, with so much of what we do online, that we need daily delivery of the mail to residences. Businesses are a different matter. Perhaps you get a flood of mail every day that is of an essential nature, but I go days with no mail. I am good with that. Instead of community mailboxes, how about once-a-week delivery of the mail? That would still get the mail to your door, but it would cut the need for postal employees by a huge amount. The post office is hemorrhaging money and there is nothing to suggest the situation will get better. Postal workers should make a good living. But we don't need as many of them as we have now. A caller to my show said he delivers mail and once a week would result in too high a load of flyers for delivery to doorsteps. If it is that high, why isn't it paying the bills? Once a week, the day before garbage day. Get the connection? Relationships Columnists Football Ontario Celebrity
Global News
26-05-2025
- Global News
Condolences pour in after 4 students, 1 teacher killed in Ontario crash
An small Ontario community is mourning the loss of four teen girls and their coach after they all lost their lives in a fatal crash Friday night. Messages of condolence are pouring in for the community in and around Walkerton, Ont an hour north west of Guelph. The coach, Matt Eckert, 33 and four female students were returning from a softball tournament when their vehicle collided with a transport truck. Ontario Provincial Police say the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Thorndale Road and Cobble Hills Road in Middlesex County, near London, Ont. Investigators say an SUV caring the five collided with a transport truck, then hit a second SUV. Three of the first SUV's passengers, two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene. Story continues below advertisement Eckert, who was driving the SUV, and another 16-year-old girl who was also in the vehicle were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died. View image in full screen Flowers mark the site of a fatal accident which killed four students and a teacher northeast of London, Ont. on Sunday, May 25, CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins. Geoff Robins Following this incident, people have been sharing messages of condolences, with community members putting running shoes and candles outside their homes in honour of the victims. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The school board and police have not released the names of the four girls killed. In a statement over the weekend, the Bluewater District School board confirmed the four girls were all students at Walkerton District Community School, where Eckert also taught. The board expressed their 'deepest sorrows' for the families dealing with the 'profound loss' of Friday's crash. 'At this time, our focus is on supporting and respecting the privacy of the grieving families,' the statement read. Story continues below advertisement 'We recognize that many individuals in other communities across Bluewater also have close connections with those lost in this tragedy, and their families. It is important to acknowledge how this tragedy is impacting them as well. We are all here to support one another.' The board's mental health staff and tragedy response team have been deployed to support students and staff as they return to school on Monday. Eckert, who died in the crash, was also an assistant coach with the Owen Sound NorthStars Junior B Lacrosse club. The club's general manager, Ethan Woods, said on social media that he was 'heartbroken and crushed' by Eckert's death, remembering him as a dedicated mentor to players and a best friend to fellow coaches. 'His infectious smile and caring heart are things that will never be forgotten,' Woods said. A vigil was held Sunday night, with hundreds of people gathering in the Walkerton District Community School parking to honour the victims. Pictures of the vigil show candles and flowers laid at the front of the school in tribute. View image in full screen Hundreds gather in the parking lot of the Walkerton District Community School in Walkerton, Ont. for a vigil on Sunday, May 25, 2025. On Friday, four students and a teacher from the school were killed in a car accident on the way back from a softball tournament in Dorchester, Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins Geoff Robins Several politicians have also shared their condolences. Story continues below advertisement 'In this time of sorrow, we stand united with all those affected in the community and throughout all our local schools. We offer our deepest condolences and unwavering support,' said the municipality of Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody. 'We encourage all community members to come together offering compassion and support to one another as we navigate this profound loss.' In honour of the families affected, the municipal flags were lowered to half-mast and will be raised following services for victims, the mayor said. Canada's Prime Minster Mark Carney wrote on X Sunday night that the deaths were heartbreaking. 'This is an unimaginable loss – one that no family, no classmate, no school should ever have to endure. Canadians are holding the Walkerton community in our hearts,' he wrote. Ontario's Premier, Doug Ford, also extended his condolences to the families of the victims as well. 'I'm devastated to hear of last night's tragic accident in Middlesex County, which has now claimed the lives of five people. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss,' Ford said on X. The occupants of the second SUV and the transport truck driver suffered minor injuries. Police have offered condolences but have not speculated on what chased the crash. Story continues below advertisement Authorities are continuing to investigate and are asking anyone with dashcam footage or information about the crash to contact Middlesex OPP or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers. With files from Global News' Prisha Dev and The Canadian Press
Toronto Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Canada Post, union set to meet as overtime ban stretches on
Published May 25, 2025 • Last updated 7 minutes ago • 1 minute read Canada Post trucks. Photo by CHRISTINE MUSCHI / CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Canada Post was set to meet with negotiators from its union Sunday amid warnings of mail delivery delays tied to a national ban on overtime for postal workers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Sunday's meeting will be the first of the weekend, a spokesperson for the Crown corporation said. A mediator will be on hand to work with the parties who have been deadlocked for months in efforts to secure a new collective bargaining agreement. Canada Post presented its latest offers to the union on Wednesday, which included a hike in pay and plans to roll out a fleet of part-time workers. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has yet to offer a formal response to the proposals, but its request for a two-week 'truce' to consider the deal was rejected by the employer. The most recent agreement between the parties, which was extended by the industrial relations board after Ottawa intervened in the month-long holiday season strike late last year, expired Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While CUPW issued a 72-hour strike notice earlier in the week that could have seen workers walk off the job first thing on Friday morning, the union instead issued a national ban on taking overtime work while it considered the latest deal. The union said in a bulletin to members last week that the offers 'fall short' on wages and other key sticking points in the negotiations. Canada Post said the most recent offers reflect its financial realities. An Industrial Inquiry Commission set up by the federal government found the postal service was effectively 'bankrupt' and recommended a series of structural changes in a report released earlier this month. That included recommendations to phase out daily door-to-door delivery and implement a 'dynamic routing' system that could see mail carriers' routes change on a daily basis. Toronto Blue Jays Sunshine Girls Editorial Cartoons Toronto & GTA Ontario
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hundreds of homes, people evacuated as wildfires threaten areas north of Edmonton
EDMONTON – Hundreds of people and dozens of homes have been evacuated as an active wildfire continues to threaten rural areas north of Edmonton. A spokeswoman for Sturgeon County says 43 homes have been evacuated since mandatory orders, which include the town of Redwater, were issued on Tuesday. Officials have said the out-of-control blaze near the Redwater Provincial Recreation Area started over the weekend because an all-terrain vehicle caught fire after an apparent electrical or mechanical failure. A shoulder patch of the Alberta Wildfire service is pictured in Fort McMurray, Alta., Thursday, May 16, CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Alberta Wildfire says it is helping Sturgeon County battle the blaze by sending additional firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters to the scene. The agency is also helping officials in Athabasca County fight another wildfire that's burning south of the town of Boyle and moving north. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up Roughly 800 people have been told to leave town and register with a reception centre at Parkland Motels in Lac La Biche. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025.
