Postal Workers Protest in Ottawa as Loblaw Faces Backlash Over Unauthorized Charity Charges
On Saturday, postal workers in Ottawa—joined by supporters from Ontario and Quebec—rallied in protest against Canada Post’s insistence that employees vote on the corporation’s so-called “final offer.” The demonstration took place at the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights monument near city hall, where leaders from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers denounced the move as a threat to the integrity of the public postal service.
Meanwhile, Loblaw Companies Ltd. is facing criticism after reports surfaced that some customers were charged charitable donations without their consent during a fundraising campaign for President’s Choice Children’s Charity. Though the amounts were typically small—often a dollar or less—many customers emphasized that the issue is one of principle, not price.
In response to complaints, Loblaw acknowledged the issue in a statement, citing a “system issue and potential for human error” that led to some customers being automatically charged. The company claims the problem was promptly addressed, staff were retrained, and affected transactions were corrected. Customers who were charged in error are being encouraged to contact customer service for a refund.
Consumer advocacy group Option consommateurs recommends that affected customers seek refunds directly from the store, and, if necessary, consider small claims court if the issue proves persistent. Sylvie de Bellefeuille, a lawyer with the organization, emphasized that retailers cannot legally charge above the listed price unless customers are clearly informed beforehand.
As scrutiny mounts, some shoppers are reconsidering where they buy groceries. One customer, Bennett, said he’s now double-checking his receipts at Maxi and contemplating taking his business elsewhere.
