Local NDP MP urges Canadians to participate in Canada Post review
Castlegar, BC – Alex Atamanenko, MP – BC Southern Interior – According to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the federal government is conducting an almost secret review of Canada Post that will determine the future of the postal service in this country. Although it describes itself as limited in scope, the Canada Post Corporation Strategic Review (CPCSR) has a very broad mandate. It will be examining such questions as: what is universal postal service; who should provide these services; and should the letter market be open to competition?
“I am very concerned that the outcome of this review could lead to deregulation of postal services. Based on information from the few countries that have gone in this direction, I have no doubt that the result would be higher prices and reduced service, especially in rural areas like ours where postal services are more costly to provide,” said Alex Atamanenko, NDP MP for BC Southern Interior.
The deadline for submissions to the CPCSR is September 2, 2008. According to information on the Canada Post website, “Canadians are encouraged to provide written submissions to the panel by mail or e-mail, or though the following website: www.cpcstrategicreview.ca.”
“I’m worried that this will follow the same path as I’ve personally witnessed in the UK. There, outlying post offices have been or will be closed in the near future, reducing service to many communities,” stated Peter Hawkins, President of Castlegar CUPW Local. “Are we prepared to let that happen here?” he asked.
Atamanenko supports CUPW’s vision of a modern post office that includes:
o Remaining a publicly-owned enterprise, responsible to Parliament and the public
o Maintaining post offices in rural and urban communities
o Providing employees with safe, unionized jobs that have fair wages, and good working conditions
o Maximizing environmentally friendly practices
“Canada Post is consulting with ‘major stakeholders’, but there are no public hearings being held, “the NDP MP said. “This review is taking place during the summer months when Canadians may not even realize that it’s underway, much less take the time to make a submission regarding a service upon which we all depend.”
“I urge everyone who shares my concern to make a submission to the review panel and let this government know that postal deregulation is not acceptable,” Atamanenko concluded.