This letter was sent to all other Members of Parliament
I am writing to congratulate you on your election and to wish you well during the current Parliament, which
may be one of the most critical Parliaments in recent times. In addition to dealing with a serious economic
crisis, you may also deal with the future of an important national institution – our public post
office.
The Canada Post Corporation Strategic Review (CPCSR) is scheduled to report to the federal government in
December.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is concerned the current government is hoping to use
recommendations from the pending report as an excuse to partially or fully deregulate our post office. Recent
moves suggest the current government would also be willing to allow the corporation to move towards
privatization through public-private partnerships.
All parties within the House of Commons are officially opposed to postal privatization.
Not all parties are opposed to postal deregulation but there is overwhelming opposition in the country. In
fact, the vast majority of groups that made submissions to the CPCSR opposed deregulation, including at least
600 municipalities and dozens of senior citizen organizations, disability rights groups, rural organizations,
unions and citizens groups. (Submissions at: www.cpcstrategicreview.gc.ca)
CUPW has asked the current government not to introduce legislation or measures that would deregulate
or privatize Canada Post in whole or in part. We are hoping you will help us maintain this important national
institution by ensuring that any coalition government that is formed does not make moves to privatize or
deregulate Canada Post. Our public post office plays a vital role in our economy by providing the stable
infrastructure that communities need to thrive and businesses need to grow. Now is not the time to be
undermining basic infrastructure like the post office. Like many groups, CUPW believes our federal government
should be strengthening and investing in infrastructure, not weakening or selling it.
I look forward to discussing these matters with you.
Yours truly,
Denis Lemelin
National President
c.c. All CUPW locals, NEC, REC, National and Regional URs, Specialists
