In the news today: Canada Post workers poised to strike Friday

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Canada Post workers poised to strike Friday

Canada Post received a strike notice Monday from the union representing more than 55,000 postal workers, with operations poised to shut down by the end of the week — for the second time in six months.

The union informed management that employees plan to hit the picket line starting Friday morning at midnight, the Crown corporation said.

A work stoppage would affect millions of residents and businesses who typically receive more than two billion letters and roughly 300 million parcels a year via the service.

No new items would be accepted until the strike ends, while those already in the system would be “secured” but not delivered, Canada Post said.

A 32-day strike during peak shipping season ahead of the winter holidays last November and December left millions of letters and parcels in limbo and a massive backlog to sort through.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

StatCan set to release April inflation figures

Statistics Canada is set to release inflation data for April today.

Market data shows economists on average expect the annual rate of inflation cooled to 1.6 per cent last month, from 2.3 per cent in March.

The Liberal government eliminated the consumer carbon price at the start of April, offering motorists some relief at the pump.

Last month also marked the first full month of tariffs between Canada and the United States, though both sides have offered some exemptions in the trade dispute.

RSM economist Tu Nguyen says she doesn’t expect tariffs to drive the headline inflation number higher yet even if Canadians ended up paying more for certain goods like autos last month.

The April inflation figures come a little more than two weeks before the Bank of Canada is set to make its next interest rate decision on June 4.

Top finance officials from G7 meet in Banff

High-ranking officials from the world’s top economies are in Banff, Alta., this week for a three-day summit that will cover topics including the global economy, the war in Ukraine and artificial intelligence.

The meeting comes during a period of heightened instability as U.S. President Donald Trump continues his tariff-driven effort to bring industry to American soil, leading many countries to reconsider their trade relationships with the United States and other trading partners.

The gathering will also be a precursor to the meetings that will happen in Kananaskis, Alta., when North American, European and Japanese leaders gather for the G7 Leaders’ Summit from June 15 to 17.

Rookie Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem will lead the meetings scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

A spokesperson for Champagne says the Finance Department is working closely with the Prime Minister’s Office on priorities for the meetings and the leaders’ summit. The ministry did not provide details on specific agreements it’s looking to reach.

Powering B.C. through drought and trade war

British Columbia’s power utility is facing transformational challenges of drought, rising costs and a trade war with the United States as it works to meet electricity demand that’s surging after two decades of relative stability.

An expected demand increase of 15 per cent by 2030 is sparking questions about whether BC Hydro is ready, with one former B.C. environment minister saying the province faces a power gap.

The Crown utility says it imported a net 13,600 gigawatt hours of power in the 2024 fiscal year, a figure representing about 22 per cent of all supply sources according to a service plan forecast issued last February.

But the utility says it has been a net exporter for eight of the past 15 years, and its outgoing CEO is unequivocal: “We have enough power.”

Customers “should feel confident that (BC Hydro) will be able to meet their needs in a range of circumstances over time,” Chris O’Reily said in an interview after addressing the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade on Thursday.

Ex-teammate testifies at hockey players’ trial

A former member of Canada’s world junior hockey team is set to continue testifying today at the sexual assault trial of five of his ex-teammates.

Tyler Steenbergen began testifying by video conference last week and is expected to face more cross-examination from defence lawyers.

Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Callan Foote have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in connection with an encounter that took place in the early hours of June 19, 2018.

McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

Steenbergen has said he was one of several players in the hotel room at one point in the night but he left after a short time.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2025.

The Canadian Press