A recent skit portraying Santa as a union member has Canadians cracking up amid the ongoing Canada Post strike.
Over 55,000 workers at Canada’s national mail service have been on strike for three weeks, throwing the busy shopping season in limbo. However, as frustrations mount, CBC comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes adds much-needed humour to the situation.
In a recent skit, a postal worker delivers children’s mail to a delighted Santa. However, the jolly holiday character soon becomes irate after discovering that the letters are from Canada.
“Aren’t you on strike?” he asks.
“Yes, but we make an exception for letters to you, Saint Nick,” says the worker.
“Get these letters out of my sight,” shouts a furious Santa. “I’d rather eat a plate of dry cookies — no milk — than cross a picket line! I’ve been called a lot of things in my life, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, but there’s one thing I’ve never been called: a scab.”
He then proudly shows a patch on his sleeve, stating that he’s a Holiday Characters Local 132 union member, along with the Easter Bunny and St. Patrick. After being accused of running a workshop, Santa responds, “This is a co-op! And it runs on renewable energy, and every elf gets full benefits: holidays, maternity and paternity leave.”
Watch the skit here:
@thishourhas22minutes santa is a union man! #sketchcomedy #satire #santa #christmas #mail #strike #22minutes ♬ original sound – This Hour Has 22 Minutes
The short skit certainly got plenty of reactions online, with one viewer asking, “When did CBC get so based?”
when did CBC get so based pic.twitter.com/9O7fcXL0qV
— Joachim (@JDespland) December 5, 2024
“Solidarity with Santa and Canada Post workers,” stated holybabyjesus23.
“He’s more than a hero; he’s a union man!” wrote Rothetenor.
“This is a ‘co-op’ got me 😂,” commented Rei_lee-mtl.
“This might be your most relatable skit to date,” stated Sam.
“Solidarity even though I don’t believe in Santa 😂,” added Rbkukard.
However, some viewers took issue with the skit comparing unions to communists.
Alex Tedder, who appeared to be slightly out of the loop, stated, “Love that this is how I find out that Canada Post workers are striking.”
On the other hand, impressed with the elves’ benefits, NotThatMikey asked, “Where do I apply to be an elf?”
It’s not the first time that the show has shone the spotlight on the Canada Post strike.
In another skit, an awkward situation arises after a striking worker runs into a regular customer picking up her mail at a Staples location.
“I’ve only been on strike for a week, and you’re already seeing other people?” he demands.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.