This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. If you're short on time, skip to the TL;DR section for the key takeaways.

To get started, I’d love to get your thoughts on how the Canada Post strike has affected the Canadian shipping market.

Jarrett Stewart: The Canada Post strike has highlighted some critical issues within the Canadian shipping ecosystem. There are two primary impacts. 

First, it’s made shippers realize the danger of being single-threaded with a carrier. This is something that industry leaders have warned about for years, but many businesses only act when they’re personally affected. The strike has forced companies to confront this reality, and they’re now seeking alternative solutions.

Second, the strike has exposed businesses to the range of shipping options available. For many, Canada Post was the default, but now they’re exploring regional carriers and other solutions because they’ve been left with no choice. A good example is a large footwear retailer operating in Canada and the U.S. In the U.S., they built a diversified shipping network with multiple carriers and supporting software. However, in Canada, they relied solely on Canada Post, which has left them unable to ship during the strike. As a result, they’ve had to quickly switch carriers, likely at higher costs since carriers know they’re desperate. This scenario is common across Canada.

Many businesses default to Canada Post because it’s the only provider for P.O. boxes and rural areas. But the strike is forcing companies to reevaluate their options and adapt, which creates opportunities for regional carriers like GoBolt to step in and provide solutions.

Are there specific types of businesses or industries that are particularly affected by the strike?

Jarrett Stewart: Absolutely. Legacy businesses and small-volume shippers have been hit the hardest.

Legacy businesses often rely solely on Canada Post because it’s been their go-to for decades. These companies typically lack the infrastructure or agility to switch carriers quickly. We’ve worked with a business who ships tobacco-adjacent products, and they’ve relied exclusively on Canada Post for years. The strike completely halted their operations, and transitioning to a new carrier has been a convoluted process for them.

Small-volume shippers, like Shopify brands, are also struggling. Many of these businesses get competitive Canada Post rates through Shopify’s platform. When the strike hit, they had to scramble to find alternatives. The good news is that smaller, tech-savvy brands often know about tools like multi-carrier shipping systems, so their transition is a bit easier. Legacy businesses, on the other hand, face more hurdles due to outdated processes and infrastructure.

Do you see any ripple effects from the strike on inventory management or other areas?

Jarrett Stewart: Fortunately, most businesses had already stocked their inventory for peak season before the strike began. If this had happened earlier in the year, the impact could have been much worse.

The biggest concern is uncertainty. When the strike ends, it’s likely that Canada Post will raise prices, which will negatively impact businesses that rely on them. Another ripple effect is in returns. Canada Post handles a significant volume of returns, and the strike has left many businesses scrambling to find alternatives. Unlike the U.S., Canada doesn’t have a robust infrastructure for return logistics, which makes this transition even more difficult.

Why do you think so many businesses rely on a single carrier? Diversifying seems like the obvious choice.

Jarrett Stewart: It’s about simplicity. Managing a single carrier means one vendor, one billing process, one integration, and one pickup schedule. It’s the path of least resistance, and for a long time, it worked well enough.

However, the logistics landscape is changing. Multi-carrier shipping systems have been gaining traction over the past five to ten years, and in the last two to three years, their adoption has accelerated. These systems allow businesses to work with multiple carriers to optimize shipping costs and speeds. That said, adding carriers increases operational complexity—both for logistics teams and finance departments—so many companies avoided it. 

The strike has exposed the risks of this “lazy” approach. Businesses are now feeling the pain and realizing they need to adopt more robust systems to remain competitive and resilient.

What options do businesses have right now? Is switching carriers their only choice?

Jarrett Stewart: Yes, switching is the only viable option in the short term. At GoBolt, we’ve been proactive in helping businesses make the transition. For our fulfillment clients, it’s as simple as re-routing their shipments through one of the 20-25 carriers we work with. We handle the entire process within our warehouses, ensuring there’s minimal disruption.

For non-fulfillment clients, it’s a bit more challenging. We’ve received a surge of inquiries from brands looking to use our last-mile delivery services. Our goal is to make the onboarding process as seamless as possible so they can get back to shipping quickly.

Businesses that aren’t leveraging fulfillment providers or multi-carrier systems are finding it much harder to adapt. They’re left with no choice but to sit on packages until the strike ends or navigate the complex process of finding and integrating new carriers.

Are there enough carriers and capacity to handle the demand left by Canada Post?

Jarrett Stewart: The vast majority of displaced volume is being absorbed by UPS and FedEx because of their nationwide coverage. These carriers have the capacity to handle the surge, but their pricing and speed might not always align with businesses’ needs.

Regional carriers like GoBolt are stepping in to fill the gaps. While we don’t operate in rural areas, we serve major metro zones and their surrounding regions. Regional carriers have elastic capacity because of how their last-mile operations are structured. For example, GoBolt’s coverage zones may account for less than 50% of a typical business’s shipping volume, so we can easily accommodate new clients within those zones.

How do costs and speed compare between regional carriers and Canada Post?

Jarrett Stewart: Costs vary depending on the carrier. UPS and FedEx are typically comparable to Canada Post, while regional carriers like GoBolt often offer lower rates. 

Regional carriers also focus on enhancing the customer experience. For instance, GoBolt provides an Uber-like tracking feature where customers can see the delivery vehicle’s real-time location. This level of transparency isn’t something you get with larger carriers. 

Price-wise, regional carriers usually need to stay competitive to win volume. At GoBolt, we pair our pricing with superior tech and service, making it a compelling alternative for many businesses.

Could you share an example or case study of a business that successfully switched to GoBolt during the strike?

Jarrett Stewart: Sure! One example is a jewelry brand based in Vancouver. They relied on Canada Post for expedited deliveries to the East Coast, but with the strike, they needed a fast and cost-effective alternative.

We offered them our GoBolt Parcel service, which includes coast-to-coast delivery through a combination of ground and air lanes. They were able to maintain their two-day delivery promise to customers at a lower cost than they were paying with Canada Post. The transition was seamless—they simply turned off Canada Post in our system, activated GoBolt, and didn’t have to make any operational changes on their end. It was a win-win for the business and their customers.

What advice would you give to businesses looking to switch carriers right now?

Jarrett Stewart: Here’s my advice:

How has the strike created opportunities for regional carriers like GoBolt?

Jarrett Stewart: The strike has been a significant opportunity for regional carriers like GoBolt. Many businesses, especially those reliant on Canada Post, have had to urgently seek alternatives. For us, it’s been about making the transition as seamless as possible.

We’ve been able to support businesses by offering flexibility and speed in onboarding. For example, companies can immediately redirect shipments to our network, and we handle everything from integration to execution. This has allowed businesses to resume operations quickly, and for us, it’s opened up new relationships that may not have been possible otherwise.

What differentiates regional carriers in terms of technology and customer experience?

Jarrett Stewart: Regional carriers, including GoBolt, focus on delivering a better end-to-end experience by leveraging technology. For example, we offer an Uber-like tracking experience where customers can see the delivery vehicle in real time. This kind of transparency isn’t available with larger carriers like UPS or FedEx.

We’ve also invested in innovative tools to improve the overall shipping process. Regional carriers often provide faster delivery times—same-day or next-day service—paired with competitive rates. These differentiators help us stand out, especially during disruptions like the Canada Post strike.

Do you see consumer behavior changing as a result of the strike? For example, are consumers opting to shop in physical stores instead of online?

Jarrett Stewart: We haven’t seen a drop in demand for e-commerce during the strike, but consumer confidence is definitely being impacted. Many shoppers are paying close attention to which carriers brands are using for delivery. If they see a Canada Post label, they’re more likely to contact the retailer and ask for alternatives.

The strike has also made last-mile delivery options more visible to consumers, similar to how COVID brought supply chains into public conversations. People are becoming more aware of their shipping options, and that awareness could drive long-term changes in expectations for speed, reliability, and transparency.

Long-term, what impact do you think this strike will have on Canadian shipping?

Jarrett Stewart: In the long run, this strike could lead to positive changes. It’s forcing businesses to explore better options and invest in more resilient logistics systems. 

This reminds me of how COVID-19 pushed industries to innovate and adapt quickly, ultimately leading to improvements for consumers. While the scale of this strike is smaller, it’s a similar catalyst for change within the Canadian shipping industry.