Rescue mission braces for funding shortfall brought on by Canada Post strike

Canada Post signage and parked vehicles are seen at a Canada Post mail sorting facility during nation-wide strike action in Ottawa, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Souls Harbour Rescue Mission provides food and housing for thousands of people living in Nova Scotia. Like many charities, it relies on mail-in, charitable donations from the public, to support its programs.

“One-third of our funding stream are people who are donating through the mail system,” said CEO Michelle Porter, who added, the facility, like it did in the previous Canada Post strike, is once again braced to take a direct financial hit during this strike. “It is incredibly impactful to Souls Harbour and other charities because we are losing over $1 million in the mail.”

According to Porter, that money would be earmarked to support people heading into the cold winter season. It’s all part of a fall fundraising program that supports meal programs to feed more than 600 people daily at nine locations across Nova Scotia.

“Some of those meals are for Thanksgiving, and also for Christmas,” said Porter.

As the work stoppage continues, Canada Post is reassessing an offer it had planned to make to postal workers.

CUPW Nova local president Dwayne Corner said hurting charities is not the purpose of this strike.

“We just want to get back to work and we’re not looking to harm these people,” said Corner.

Souls Harbour Rescue Mission guest Mike Thomey said he appreciates the generosity he has received and realizes Porter and her team of volunteers are now scrambling to find a solution.

“I hope they have some alternative service to get them what they need, and I hope the city government will also help them to be able to provide,” said Thomey.

Porter has a message to donors, who usually send money in the mail.

“If you are able to give a different way than the mail, please call your charity, go online,” said Porter.

Those are options that could help Souls Harbour Rescue Mission as it searches for solutions to make sure donations keep coming in.