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The Canada Post strike could jeopardise the delivery of a Saskatchewan baker’s holiday treats.
Jim Hadfield has been in business for 15 years, running a home business called Jim’s Bread Buns and Cakes in the town of Milestone, about 55 kilometres south of Regina.
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While he sells a variety of goods, demand for his Christmas fruitcakes has really taken off over the past six years. He said it’s reached the point where preparing the cakes keeps him busy from April through to November.
“The Christmas cakes have become pretty well my whole business,” Hadfield said.
Because his business is centred around the holiday season, Hadfield said he was “initially panicked” by news of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ strike.
Jim Hadfield says Christmas cakes have become a major part of his business, with customers from across Canada putting in orders. (Jim Hadfield/Submitted)
The workers walked off the job on Thursday in response to sweeping changes announced by Canada Post, including the reduction of door-to-door delivery.
A drawn-out strike could have a big effect on Hadfield, whose Christmas fruitcakes are delivered all across Canada, though he said his customers are being quite understanding.
“These cakes are not sent to be mailed out for about another month or so, but if the strike continues I’ve received quite a bit of feedback from my customers and they are prepared to wait it out,” Hadfield said.
“I’ve thought about using a courier service, but it becomes a nightmare because I have about 182 people across Canada that are going to be receiving anywhere between one and six cakes.”
He said a courier would charge different rates depending on the individual addresses, and some of his clients live in rural areas that couriers might not deliver to at all. He said his local postal worker has been great to work with over the years, but there’s currently nothing they can do as the strike drags on.
Hadfield noted that he’s already paid Canada Post for this year’s deliveries.
“They have a flat-rate box system that is about four different sizes, where you pay one fee and it goes anywhere in Canada as long as you’re under a certain weight restriction,” he said.
“I’ve made that purchase and my customers have paid for that. Now if I have to go to a courier service, it’s an additional cost to me which I can’t pass on to the customer.”
But while his deliveries may be delayed this year, Hadfield said there’s no risk of his cakes spoiling, as they cure over time thanks to the alcohol in the recipe.
He said the preservation and quality of his cakes is a big part of why his customers have been so patient, even with the strike causing quite a bit of uncertainty.
