Postmasters Say Canada Post Must Keep Its Focus on Services

OTTAWA, April 18, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada Post's forecast of losses has Postmasters concerned about future cuts to rural postal services.

"Canada Post must work with us to concentrate on innovating services," said Brenda McAuley, National President of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA).

McAuley says that since its reinvention as a Crown Corporation in 1981, Canada Post has followed a trajectory away from a public service towards an increasingly profit-driven orientation, a move that she says is hurting rural Canadians.

"When the focus is on profits, services get taken away from rural and remote areas because we aren't so profitable," said McAuley. "The cuts and closures of our post offices can deal a death blow to rural communities."

The CPAA has been asking to meet with the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, the new Cabinet Minister for Rural and Economic Development, who is currently touring Canada seeking ideas for rural development.

At that meeting, McAuley plans to emphasize that offering more services at the post office in rural communities just makes sense if Canada Post wants to remain self-sustainable.

She points to many innovative practices happening in other national postal systems, such as India, which recently opened a successful postal banking system aimed at reaching rural citizens.

"Canada Post could give people financial services, broadband and wireless services, electric car charging stations, and other opportunities for supporting them locally," said McAuley. "That means they don't have to leave their communities."

SOURCE Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association