Canada Post strike taking extra toll on rural NL towns that have already lost their bank

By Sean Ridgeley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Two small, rural Newfoundland towns are being hard hit by the postal strike.

St. Alban’s, with a population of 1,189, and Grand Brank, with a population of 2,152, were already hit hard by bank closures in their community, and now say the Canada Post strike is just another blow to residents.

“The loss of our bank created a large void in our lives,” Gerard Murphy of St. Alban’s, which lost its only bank, BMO, in February 2025, said earlier this week. Murphy was re-elected to council in Thursday’s municipal election, but was mayor at the time he spoke with The Telegram.

“Canada Post did compensate for that in some cases, but now that it is no longer available, it has been amplified to epic proportions again.”

The next closest BMO is 178 kilometres away in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Mayor-elect John Burfitt of Grand Bank has a similar story. His town lost its ScotiaBank in October 2024.

“We’re still feeling the impact of that loss,” he said. “Any loss in small towns, because you only have one of this type of business, is a major blow to the community.”

The next closest ScotiaBank to Grand Bank is 50 kms away in Marystown.

“Since the closing of our bank, a number of citizens use the post office as a replacement, to buy money orders to pay for their monthly bills,” he explained.

They are just two examples of many towns losing banks across the province in recent years.

SENIORS STRUGGLE IN WAKE OF STRIKE

Like many small communities in rural NL, a large number of residents of these two towns are seniors that aren’t tech-savvy and don’t take advantage of the conveniences that online banking offers. As of 2021, census statistics showed St. Alban’s population was made up of 20 per cent of seniors, while Grand Bank was made up of 37.8 per cent seniors (defined as 65 years of age and older).

“Our senior population, as well as many others who don’t have the resources or the ability to do online correspondence, are the most vulnerable among us,” said Murphy.

While travel is still an option, it’s not always easy for the elderly. Others may not have a reliable internet connection to allow for online banking.

“Like most people, seniors will also find a way to move around in these type of situations, but in

POLITICIANS WEIGH IN

PC leader Tony Wakeham opposed the strike, calling it the “latest consequence of a bad decision from Ottawa.”

“(It’s) hurting workers, seniors, and rural communities,” he said. “I will always put the people of NL first.”

The Liberals also expressed its sympathies to both seniors and rural NL communities, calling the Canada Post service “particularly important” for both.

“The federal government should halt any changes to mail delivery until consultation with provinces and any communities occur,” Premier John Hogan said in a statement. “Rural and remote post offices must remain open and continue to provide services to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”

Hogan urged Canada Post, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, and the federal government to seek alternative methods to maintain service, especially in rural areas.

Both Murphy and Burfitt were in support of the message and expressed a desire to sit at the table and find a way forward together.

At the same time, Burfitt is skeptical.

“It’s great to know, and welcomed that the provincial government is offering support for various services, but we all know it’s short-term, then reality sets in,” he said. “What (happens) after that?”