Postal Strike Impact

When news of a looming postal strike appeared in the media, the sentiment of my peers in the for-profit and private sectors was one of indifference.  A feeling that Canada Post was an archaic and dying service in today’s world of email, e-transfers and Amazon delivery was expressed.  They truly believe they will not feel the impact and business will continue as normal.  They were not worried.   

Where the impact will be felt is with not-for-profit organizations.  The organizations who support those who are in the greatest of need and the most vulnerable – individuals fleeing from violence, seniors, those struggling with housing and food insecurity in a harsh winter, the list is endless.  For Calgary Humane Society, it is the thousands of animals we admit every single year suffering from abuse, neglect, cruelty and abandonment looking for a new home and a second chance.  This is where the impact will be felt.   

The holiday season, which kicks off with Giving Tuesday, is the most critically important time of year for most philanthropic organizations – Calgary Humane Society is no exception.  Over 45% of our total fundraising revenue comes in over the final two months of the year.  We often can predict the success of our fundraising campaigns by the size of the mail bins being delivered daily from Canada Post in response to our Direct Mail pieces sent out in advance of the holiday season.   

If the postal strike should evolve into a long term strike, this could significantly impact the program and services not-for-profits are able to deliver – the very organizations that pick up where government programs and subsidies end. All of us at Calgary Humane Society, and in the not-for-profit sector as a whole, are holding our breath and quickly adapting our strategies to minimize the impact this strike could have on our year-end financial results.  We are all hoping for a quick resolution to the dispute, but as the days turn into weeks, we are becoming increasingly concerned.  There is so much more at stake than letters being delivered to the North Pole for Santa.  

The need in our community is great this year.  With the falling economy, rising inflation, the housing crisis, along with political instability that seems to hinder any progress towards positive change, not-for-profit organizations need the support of the community more than ever.  At Calgary Humane Society, we rely solely on the Calgary Community to continue our operations.   

We implore anyone who is planning on giving a charitable gift this year to please consider an online gift.  If you are considering a gift to Calgary Humane Society this holiday season to help the animals in our care get a home for the holidays and the life they deserved right from the start, we urge you to go to our website at https://www.calgaryhumane.ca/ and click on that orange donate button.   

Or even better, on December 7th we will be hosting our Home for the Holidays Christmas market at the shelter starting at 1:00pm.  This kicks off our Home for the Holidays Adoption event that runs through to the end of December.  I extend a warm invitation to anyone thinking of giving a gift to the Society this year to please come in for a visit!  We would like nothing better than to be able to warmly greet you at our front door and thank you for your support in person.  I look forward to seeing you.       

All the best,

Carrie Fritz, Executive Director