OTTAWA: The Green Party of Canada today voiced its disappointment with Canada Post’s decision to phase out urban home delivery, a change expected to have the greatest impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“This decision will disproportionately affect the elderly and Canadians living with disabilities, for whom home delivery of letters and parcels provides a critical link,” said Elizabeth May, Green Party of Canada Leader and MP for Saanich–Gulf Islands. “Canada Post claims to be listening to Canadians, yet I've yet to hear anyone tell me that they no longer want letters delivered to their homes.”
Canada Post’s new Five-Point Action Plan released earlier today signals a radical change in direction for the 147-year old institution. Reforms will include significant increases in stamp prices, and a downsizing of 6,000 to 8,000 employees over the next five years.
Last year, the crown corporation’s 71,000 employees helped to deliver approximately 10 billion pieces of mail to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
Added May: “While we are glad to see that Canada Post has committed to respect the Postal Service Charter and the moratorium on the closure of rural post offices, a review of the Postal Service Charter is already ongoing, to be completed in fall of 2014. It is baffling that Canada Post has decided to charge blindly ahead with these sweeping changes without waiting for the results of next year's review.”
The Green Party Leader called on Canada Post’s leadership to explore options for growth and innovation. These could include an expansion of postal banking services, which would be of particular benefit to small and rural communities.
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Contact:
Nicholas Gall
Communications Officer,
Green Party of Canada
Cell: 613 614 4916
Nicholas.gall@greenparty.ca