The review of Canada Post we’ve been expecting. It’s here!

CUPW has been expecting the government to announce a review of Canada Post for a few years. Our expectations increased in the last six months with the growing debate over rural mail delivery, Bill C-14 (partial deregulation) and Modern Post. The public and postal workers have raised many concerns with the government and Canada Post regarding these issues. There has been heated debate in Parliament.  It would appear the government would like to park people’s concerns in the run-up to an election with a review of Canada Post. With a review, the government gets to say it is dealing with concerns by reviewing the issues. 

If that is the case, the government should put Bill C-14 on hold and also place a moratorium on rural mail box relocations until the review is over and the government has decided what it intends to do with the review’s recommendations.

 

Highlights of the Review

The following information has been provided by the government:

Purpose: “The purpose of the strategic review is to examine Canada Post's public policy objectives, its ability to remain financially self-sustaining, and the continued relevancy of the 1998 Multi-Year Policy and Financial Framework.” Lawrence Cannon, Minister responsible for Canada Post says he wants "to make sure this public institution has the right tools and means to fulfill its mandate in the future."

Advisory panel: “The strategic review will be conducted by an Advisory Panel comprised of three part-time members selected by the Minister…”

• Dr. Robert Campbell
• Mrs. Nicole Beaudoin
• Mr. Daniel H. Bader

“The Advisory Panel will be supported by a small full-time Secretariat staffed by federal employees” called the Canada Post Corporation Strategic Review Secretariat.

Guiding principles of review: “The panel will be guided by the following four principles:

• Canada Post will not be privatized and will remain a Crown corporation;
• Canada Post must maintain a universal, effective and economically viable postal service;
• Canada Post will continue to act as an instrument of public policy through the provision of postal services to Canadians; and
• Canada Post will continue to operate in a commercial environment and is expected to attain a realistic rate of return on equity.”

Submissions and input:Minister Cannon has asked “the advisory panel to consult with interested parties, including key stakeholders such as the unions.” He says “Canadians are encouraged to provide written submissions to the panel by mail or email, or through the following website: www.cpcstrategicreview.gc.ca.”

Timeframe: “The Advisory Panel will provide a status update to the Minister … no later than September 30, 2008 and a Final Report in December 2008.”

 

CUPW on the review

The union is pleased the review will not look at privatization but is concerned the review has not ruled out deregulation. We are also concerned that the advisory panel will be relying on information from Canada Post. Previous reviewers of the post office have complained about the inadequacy of the information provided by Canada Post.

CUPW also has questions. Will the union and other groups be able to see the information the corporation provides and rebut the information if necessary? How transparent will the review be? Why isn’t the advisory panel holding hearings to increase public input? How will people even know about the review?

Of course, the review is, in some ways, a perfect opportunity to talk about our vision of a public post office. We intend to do exactly this. We will also insist that the review hold public hearings to increase public input.

Watch your bulletin board and the union’s website for updates. For additional details about the review, go to:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2008/08-h105e.htm