The Canada Post Review Affects You!

Sisters and Brothers:

The government announced its long-awaited review of Canada Post on May 5^th, at about the same time that our Union and ACORN Canada took to the streets in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, calling for postal banking as an alternative to payday lenders.

The Liberals say they will conduct an independent, non-partisan review to “help put Canada Post on a self-sustaining footing, while providing valuable services for Canadians well into the future.” Now it’s up to us to get our co-workers and our communities organized to defend our post office and protect public services and good jobs.

1: The Taskforce (May-August)

Judy Foote, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, appointed a four-person taskforce that will work on the review between May and August of 2016. The taskforce will look at the cost and need for existing services, assess the financial situation of Canada Post, identify new business opportunities, and prepare a discussion paper that includes options for postal service.

Minister Foote has stated that “all options” will be considered, although she did rule out postal privatization during the media conference announcing the review. 

2: Discussion/Consultation (September-November)

The task force will then produce a public discussion paper for consideration by a parliamentary committee. This committee is expected to consult with Canadians between September and November of 2016 on the various options identified in the discussion paper and make recommendations to the government, concluding April 2017.

How to give your public input

Public input will be solicited by way of mail, email, social media and other means. The government anticipates completing the whole process by the end of 2016. You can get more information by going to: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/examendepostescanada-canadapostreview/index-eng.html

CUPW welcomes the review and the chance for postal workers and the public to have a say in the future of the post office. It’s time to end the cuts and start getting creative about our possibilities.

Moreover, we believe the government has a historic opportunity to reinvent Canada Post for the next generation with new services like postal banking. It could also restore and improve the Letter Carrier Alert program and return Food Mail to northern communities.

We hope to share these ideas and others with the taskforce panel in the months to come. The union will be requesting a meeting with the panel.  We are also working on submissions to the review and are producing materials for members, allies and a variety of groups. 

We are absolutely determined to ensure that the review will result in better jobs and public postal service to the benefit of all.

In Solidarity,