Edmonton charity is shifting to online donation as postal strike continues

As the Canada Post strike continues, Edmonton businesses are being forced to adapt.

“We’ve fallen back on Purlator for the time being,” said Mark Wilson, the owner of Vivid Print.

Vivid Print has had to change its delivery service to get prints to its customers.

“It’s an impact for some retailers in terms of getting the product out. We’re fortunate there are companies we can fall back on. Our preference is to stay in Canada Post but until the strike is resolved, we’ll use our Plan B,” said Wilson.

While businesses like Vivid Print have a backup plan, Charities like the Alberta SPCA have a different story.

“With this work stoppage happening, we’re faced with the possibility of about 45,000 pieces of mail maybe not making it into people’s mailboxes for one of our most important fundraisers,” said Leanne Niblock, the executive director of the Alberta SPCA.

The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals already paid Canada Post to send out their holiday giving campaign fliers. They were supposed to be sent Monday.

“We’re already in the hole for that $25,000, this year has been unprecedented with the needs in Alberta. We’ve never seen stress on this system like this in the animal welfare community. So we’ve already spent more than double,” said Niblock.

Charities like the Alberta SPCA, which rely on end-of-year donations, do get a significant amount of cheques, and are shifting their donations campaigns online.

“What we’re asking is if people can go online or to phone us directly if they do want to make a donation to Alberta SPCA,” said Niblock.