Service Canada has been holding off on mailing out 85,000 passports due to the labour dispute at Canada Post. Employment and Social Development Canada said that "in anticipation of a potential labour disruption," Service Canada stopped mailing passport packages on Nov. 8 — a week before Canada Post workers walked off the job.

In a statement, Canada Post said the parties “remain far apart” but that the Crown corporation continues to aim for a deal hammered out at the bargaining table.

MONTREAL — Representatives from Canada Post and the postal workers union sat down with a special mediator Monday, but seem no closer to reaching a deal as a countrywide strike enters its fifth day.