**Jobs Minister Calls for New Offer from Canada Post Amid Strike** OTTAWA - Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu urged Canada Post on Monday to promptly present a new offer to the striking union representing postal workers. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) began its strike on Thursday following the federal government's announcement of significant changes to Canada Post's operations aimed at addressing its financial difficulties.

These changes include the cessation of daily mail delivery, the closure of certain rural post offices, and the transition of nearly all Canadian households to community mailboxes. The union has labeled these measures as a direct assault on workers' rights.

In an interview, Hajdu did not dismiss the possibility of federal intervention to resolve the ongoing strike. However, she emphasized that Canada Post must quickly present a new proposal, and the union should seriously consider any offer made. "This union and corporation have to figure out the future of their workforce together and how they’re going to actually, together, transform Canada Post to be a viable, sustainable Crown corporation," Hajdu stated.

She added, "There is no time to be wasted here by either the corporation or the union, once that offer is tabled."

Canada Post was set to submit a new offer on Friday but is currently revising its proposal in light of the federal government's recent announcements. Spokesman Jon Hamilton noted that there remains a "significant gap" between the positions of Canada Post and the union. He indicated that the new offer would reflect the government's changes and a broader directive aimed at stabilizing the postal service while alleviating the financial burden on taxpayers.

The financial outlook for Canada Post is troubling, with the company reporting losses of approximately $10 million per day over the summer due to ongoing labor disputes. The postal service has increasingly relied on federal support to maintain operations in recent years. An industrial inquiry commission report released earlier this year found that Canada Post was effectively insolvent and recommended various measures to ensure its survival, all of which the federal government has adopted in its recent announcement.

CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant acknowledged the union's awareness of Canada Post's financial challenges but criticized the government's proposed solutions as "extreme." He expressed the union's desire for the nationwide strike to compel the federal government to reconsider its overhaul of Canada Post and to conduct a public mandate review.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has warned that the strike could have a "massive impact" on small businesses that depend on Canada Post, while also encouraging the government to proceed with its planned reforms.