Latest news with #CorinnePohlmann
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As the CUPW votes on new deal, businesses are already leaving Canada Post
As Canada Post employees vote on a proposed new contract, many businesses have already given up on the crown corporation following a pair of work stoppages. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which represents 55,000 Canada Post employees, is being forced to vote on a new deal despite not reaching an agreement in 18 months of negotiations. Canada Post has said its latest offer addresses employees' major concerns and builds on previous offers, though the CUPW says it 'outright ignored our positions' when it comes to the union's big concerns. These disruptions have taken a toll on Canadian businesses. In December, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses reported that the Canada Post strike was costing small- and medium-sized businesses about $76.6 million each day. Now, many are considering walking away from the service all together. The CFIB reported on Monday that 63 per cent of Canadian businesses are prepared to leave Canada Post permanently, and 13 per cent of small businesses already left the service during the 2024 strike. 'Yo-yoing in and out of strike mandates is causing Canada's small businesses — one of Canada Post's last groups of profitable customers — to leave for good,' said CFIB president Dan Kelly said in a news release. 'Small business owners and other consumers need certainty.' Currently, about 80 per cent of Canadian businesses use Canada Post for sending cheques and letter mail, according to the CFIB. When it comes to packages, Canada Post holds a much smaller market share, which has dropped from 63 per cent in 2019 to just 24 per cent today, according to the corporation's annual report. The CFIB data shows that 73 per cent of small businesses now rely on private couriers for package delivery. 'The current model at Canada Post is in dire need of massive reform,' Corinne Pohlmann, executive vice-president of advocacy at CFIB, said in the news release. 'It's long overdue for the federal government to implement the well-studied changes that have been required for over a decade. Small business owners deserve a long-term plan and a postal service they can count on.' While businesses might be prepared to walk away from Canada Post, individual Canadians appear willing to support it further. Canada Post to start voting on contract offer Canada Post reaches deal with second-largest union A recent poll from the Angus Reid Institute found that 61 per cent of Canadians would contribute a $20 annual subsidy to support Canada Post and its mandate of universal, cross-country service. 'Canadians do treasure their postal service, but at the same time, they are open to big changes,' Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, said last month. With files from Naimul Karim and Gigi Suhanic Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
21-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Nearly two in three small businesses may permanently drop Canada Post if strike resumes following vote Français
TORONTO, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - As Canada Post workers start to vote on the final employer offer today, new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) finds that a postal strike could push nearly two in three (63%) businesses to walk away from Canada Post permanently. "Yo-yoing in and out of strike mandates is causing Canada's small businesses – one of Canada Post's last groups of profitable customers – to leave for good," said Dan Kelly, CFIB president. "Small business owners and other consumers need certainty. 13% of small businesses permanently dropped usage of Canada Post during the 2024 strike and every time Canada Post goes on strike, more and more businesses leave forever." According to CFIB research, four in five businesses still use Canada Post. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of those businesses use it for sending cheques, while 61% send other letter mail. Over half (58%) like to use Canada Post for its low cost and convenience (50%), while reliability (25%) and customer service (9%) ranked much lower. CFIB estimates the 2024 strike cost small businesses between 75 million to $100 million each day. Most businesses (71%) responded to the disruptions by encouraging customers to use digital options, nearly half (45%) turned to private couriers, while 27% delayed mail. In its most recent annual report, Canada Post reported having only 24% of the market share in parcel delivery compared to 62% in 2019. CFIB recent data shows small businesses (73%) mostly rely on private couriers for package delivery. If Canada Post doesn't change its business model, it will continue losing critical market share making it impossible for the corporation to turn around its losses currently measured at $10 million per day. "The current model at Canada Post is in dire need of massive reform. It's long overdue for the federal government to implement the well-studied changes that have been required for over a decade," said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. "Small business owners deserve a long-term plan and a postal service they can count on." Methodology Final results for the Special Survey: Canada Post Service, Disruptions and Reform survey, conducted June 26-July 10, 2025, number of respondents = 2,317. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/- 2.04%, 19 times out of 20. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
Cision Canada
18-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Small businesses looking to Council of the Federation for support as tariff impacts continue to weigh down economy Français
TORONTO, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ - As Canada's premiers meet in Huntsville next week, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has sent a letter to all provincial and territorial premiers, as well as Prime Minister Carney, urging them to ensure small business priorities are at the top of their agenda. "Between tariff uncertainty, rising costs and weak consumer demand, it seems small businesses just can't catch a break. Canada is losing entrepreneurs, and we can't improve our sluggish productivity if we don't make it easier to start, run and grow a business," said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. "Canada's premiers have the power to truly create one Canadian economy. We hope they use this meeting as an opportunity to ensure small business policies are a key part of their discussions." Amid ongoing trade challenges, four in ten (42%) businesses have been raising prices. Around a third are shifting to domestic markets (37%) or absorbing some or all the additional tariff costs (31%), and a quarter are exploring non-U.S. markets (25%) or delaying expansion plans (29%). To provide small businesses with greater opportunities to grow and compete, CFIB recommends governments: Lower the small business tax rate with a plan to get it to 0% and raise the threshold to $700,000. Ensure small- to medium-sized firms are included in the planning and execution of major infrastructure projects. Quickly return the federally collected tariff revenues to SMEs and clarify the use of the provincial tariff contingency funds. Keep the momentum going on internal trade and adopt a unilateral direct-to-consumer alcohol shipment approach, as Manitoba has done. "Businesses need targeted policies that would boost our economy and increase Canada's global competitiveness. There has never been a better time to build a more productive Canada than now," said SeoRhin Yoo, senior policy analyst of interprovincial affairs. "We hope to see faster action on key small business priorities following the COF meeting." Methodology Preliminary results for the Your Voice July survey. The online survey is active since July 10, number of respondents = 1,330. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/- 2.69%, 19 times out of 20. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
Cision Canada
21-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
CFIB calls on Parliament to deal with unfinished business as sitting resumes Français
TORONTO, May 21, 2025 /CNW/ - As Parliament gets set to reconvene on May 26, nearly two-thirds (62%) of small business owners are not confident that Canada's new federal government is committed to supporting small business, finds new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). "Parliament needs to act quickly to address some unfinished business that can provide some much-needed certainty and cost relief to small business owners. It's deeply worrisome and disappointing that the government is not planning to introduce a budget in this sitting as we need a budget to get some important tax policies across the finish line," said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. Some of those key small business priorities that are urgently needed include: Tariffs: Ensuring that the money collected through Canadian counter tariffs is returned quickly to affected Canadian small businesses. Carbon tax: Passing legislation to formally eliminate the carbon tax and returning the remaining $600 million in 2024-25 carbon tax rebates to small businesses Tax-free rebates: Ensuring the small business carbon tax rebates are delivered tax free as promised. Other employer rebates, such as Workers' Compensation Boards (WCB) rebates, must also be delivered tax free to boost the economy. Capital gains: Delivering on the promised increase to the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption to $1.25 million and implementing the promised Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive which would lower capital gains taxes on up to $2 million following a business sale. Small business tax rate: Lowering the federal small business tax rate from 9% to 0% for the foreseeable future. Internal trade: Working with provinces to capitalize on the current momentum towards the elimination of internal trade barriers by adopting mutual recognition. "Ottawa needs to move as quickly as possible on economic and tax reduction policies. The cost of doing business is already high, and tariff-fueled uncertainty could cause irreversible damage if it's not addressed quickly. This government has a long list of outstanding promises to small business owners that it needs to address quickly. It has to provide a clear roadmap for the months ahead," said Jasmin Guenette, CFIB's vice-president of national affairs. Small business owners can sign CFIB's petition calling on the federal government to lower the costs of doing business. Methodology Your Voice – May 2025 survey – Launched May 6, 2025 (ongoing). Results as of May 13, based on 1,420 CFIB member responses. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.6%, 19 times out of 20. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
Vancouver Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
What happened last time Canada Post workers went on a strike?
Postal workers are expected to go on strike at the end of this week, after Canada Post received notice from the union on Monday. The announcement comes more than six months after Canada Post workers went on strike in mid-November. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said the decision to strike was due to a year of unresolved negotiations. The union said, in a news release at the time, that workers wanted fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and the expansion of services at the public post office. As the strike approached mid-December, many small businesses were struggling to get their goods delivered , said Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) executive vice president of advocacy Corinne Pohlmann. Canada Post said it missed delivering roughly 12 million parcels in early December . On Dec. 13, former minister of labour Steven MacKinnon, who is currently the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, said in a post on X that he had asked the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) 'to assess the likelihood of the parties reaching negotiated agreements by the end of 2024 under the current circumstances.' Statement on the dispute between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post. If the CIRB found that the union and the corporation could not reach an agreement by the end of the year, MacKinnon said it would order Canada Post's employees back to work. The union called the government's involvement an 'assault' on the constitutional right to collectively bargain and strike. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Small businesses have written off Canada Post for this holiday season,' said CFIB president Dan Kelly in a news release on Dec. 13 . He added that it would take weeks to clear backlogs in the system. According to CFIB data, 73 per cent of small business owners said they would be using Canada Post less in the future because of the strike. CFIB called for an 'immediate truce' and for Canada Post and its employees to 'resume operations while continuing to work through their differences.' Despite CFIB's pleas and MacKinnon's announcement, negotiations continued unsuccessfully. The union condemned government involvement. 'This order continues a deeply troubling pattern in which the government uses its arbitrary powers to let employers off the hook, drag their feet, and refuse to bargain in good faith with workers and their unions,' the union said . However, MacKinnon said the ongoing conflict had reached a 'critical point' that was affecting Canadians, including those who needed essential parcels such as medications and official documents. The CIRB held two days of hearings. It made the decision to order Canada Post employees back to work on Dec. 17, after a 32-day-long strike. Canada Post reasserted its commitment to reaching negotiated agreements with CUPW that would help the company 'better serve the changing needs of Canadians and provide good jobs to those who provide the service.' Meanwhile, the union called the decision 'disappointing.' The terms of the collective agreement were extended until May 22. Following the order, the union and the corporation have continued negotiations. 'When the parties met in December, January, and March, many of our issues remained unresolved,' the union said on May 2. Just over 10 days later, Canada Post said it was taking a 'temporary pause in discussions.' On May 16, after hearings held this year between the union and Canada Post, a final report from the Industrial Inquiry Commission was released. It was presented as an ' objective assessment of the challenges facing the postal system and the fundamental obstacles in the negotiations between Canada Post and CUPW.' The commissioner of the report, William Kaplan, provided recommendations such as revising the Postal Charter's delivery standards and ending the moratorium on post office closures and conversions to community mailboxes. The union said the recommendations amounted 'to service cuts, contracting out, and major rollbacks to important provisions in our existing collective agreements' and that Canada Post had still not presented them with concrete plans. Canada Post said it received strike notice on Monday, and that operations will continue as usual at this time. 'The potential for another strike comes at a critical moment for the postal system,' it said in a news release on Monday. 'Canada Post Since 2018, the Corporation has recorded more than $3 billion in losses before tax, and it will post another significant loss for 2024. In early 2025, the Government of Canada announced repayable funding of up to $1.034 billion for Canada Post to prevent insolvency.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
