Letter to Lawrence Cannon - Re: Strategic Review of Canada Post

Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Place de Ville, Tower C, 29th Floor
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0N5

 

Dear Mr. Cannon:

Re: Strategic Review of Canada Post

I am writing on behalf of the 56,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to raise concerns and urge changes to the government’s strategic review of Canada Post.

According to the strategic review Terms of Reference, the advisory panel is mandated to provide a status update to the Minister responsible for Canada Post no later than September 30, 2008 and a final report in December, 2008. As I understand it, the status update in September will not be publicly released. CUPW is concerned that the public, unions and organizations will not have an opportunity to respond to the status update. Stakeholders in our public postal service – especially the public – should have an opportunity to provide final comments based on the direction that is being taken in the update and refute any inaccurate information. This would undoubtedly lead to a more comprehensive and accurate final report.

I would also like to reiterate some concerns about the secretive nature of the review and again urge the government to hold public hearings. A public service such as Canada Post should have public hearings. Any review of our public post that does not reach out to the public is not a review at all. Furthermore, I would urge the government to extend the length of time to make submissions. It is difficult for organizations and members of the public to fully participate in this review given the short time frame and it is occurring during the summer.

I would like to reiterate my request for a meeting to discuss the strategic review in greater detail.

Yours truly,

Denis Lemelin
National President

 

c.c.           

All CUPW Locals
National Executive Committee
Regional Executive Committee
National Union Representatives
Regional Union Representatives
Specialists
Robert Campbell
Nicole Beaudoin
Daniel H. Bader
David Christopherson, MP
Mario Laframboise, MP
Mark Holland, MP