On Friday 25 September, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) called a nationwide strike stopping all postal delivery, citing the federal government’s announcement of “massive changes to the Government’s mandate for Canada Post and huge service cutbacks to the public.”

The CUPW leadership had already announced postal workers would suspend delivery of “Neighbourhood Mail” across the country on 12 September.

These labour actions respond to still unresolved contract negotiations at the crown corporation.

The Gazette signed a contract with Canada Post in 2023 to deliver the newspaper to every mailbox in the County, residential and commercial. Delivery was halted by a Country-wide strike in November 2024, a labour action that only ended when workers were ordered back to work.

Now, we face another strike.

Gazette Delivery

For two decades before the Gazette was delivered by Canada Post, it was delivered by a team of drivers and walkers.

We have decided to return to this method to avoid further or prolonged labour disruptions, but with some changes. If you live in a town centre, on a former walking route, the Gazette will not be thrown onto your lawn. It will be available at street boxes and shops in various locations. The Gazette boxes at Post Offices in Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington will have an ample supply.

And we have a team of drivers. If you have a rural mailbox you will receive your Gazette directly. If you have a rural roadside mailbox and have not received your Gazette, please let us know at [email protected].

Around the County: Check The County Gate Pharmacy on Highway 33 in Carrying Place and The Rossmore Stop on Hwy. 62. There are Gazette boxes at PECish Bakery in Milford, the Wellington Museum, the Wellington Post Office, across from the Hamlet Grocery in Consecon, the Picton Tim Hortons’s, the Armoury, the Picton Post Office the Glenora Ferry, and, of course, at the Gazette office at 100 Picton Main Street.

Copies are also available at The Store in Cherry Valley, the Picton LCBO, Agrarian Market, The County Farm Store, The Royal, The Regent, Kelly’s Food Mart on Union, Books & Company, as well as a variety of smaller shops and businesses. Wherever possible we’ll try to place Gazettes in flyer boxes near Canada Post community mailboxes. Help yourself, and take one for a neighbour if need be.

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