Nearly two in three small businesses indicate they may permanently drop Canada Post if a strike resumes following the vote on an employer final offer.

That’s according to new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) which find that a postal strike could push nearly 63 per cent, or two in three businesses, to walk away permanently from the country’s national postal service.

In a news release, Brianna Solberg, CFIB Director for the Prairies and Northern Canada, says, “The constant back-and-forth with strike mandates is driving away one of Canada Post’s last remaining profitable customer groups – small businesses.”

She also points to the 2024 strike when 13 per cent of small businesses permanently stopped using Canada Post.

According to CFIB research, four in five businesses still use Canada Post. Nearly three-quarters, or 73 per cent, of those businesses use it for sending cheques, while 61per cent send other letter mail. Over half at 58 per cent like to use Canada Post for its low cost and convenience. CFIB estimates the 2024 strike cost small businesses between 75 million to $100 million each day.

CFIB says 71 per cent responded to the disruptions by encouraging customers to use digital options, nearly half turned to private couriers, while almost a third delayed mail.