Delays for Christmas Bureau of Edmonton recipients as pickups of gift cards cancelled

The Christmas Bureau of Edmonton says gift cards for patrons may not arrive before Christmas after the decision was made to cancel in-person pickups and send remaining gift cards by Canada Post.

The organization said the decision was motivated by the drop in temperatures in Edmonton this week.

"We will not be distributing any gift cards in person from any site. If you have been approved for a gift card, it will be sent via Canada Post, but we cannot guarantee when it will arrive before Dec. 25," the organization said in a social media post on Tuesday evening.

"If you applied for an electronic gift card, it will be sent on Friday, Dec. 20."

The bureau said 2,500 gift cards have already been distributed, leaving 8,000 to be delivered by mail.

"We know that this may impact you through the holiday season, and for that we sincerely apologize."

Canada Post employees returned to work on Tuesday after a month-long strike, but the company says clearing the backlog of mail could take until next year.

According to a news release, mail will be delivered on a first-in, first-out basis with employees prioritizing mail trapped in the system since the strike started on Nov. 15.

"New commercial volumes will not be accepted into the network until Thursday, Dec. 19," Canada Post wrote.

"Canadians should expect delivery delays through the remainder of 2024 and into January 2025."