Position of the New Democratic Party on privatization, deregulation and other postal issues

January 23, 2007

 

Deborah Bourque
National President
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
377 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 1Y3

 

Dear Ms. Bourque

Re: Policies and Positions on Postal Issues

I am writing in response to your request for policies and positions on a number of post office issues. The New Democratic Party continues to oppose public-private partnerships as well as the privatization of public services. It strongly opposes the privatization and deregulation of Canada Post. The NDP says, 'public enterprise and public ownership are critical to the mixed economy we seek as opposed to the strictly private market economy that some of our political opponents seek.'

As the NDP critic for Crown Corporations it is my position that safe and appropriate mail delivery must be maintained by the federal government for all rural and suburban mail carriers.   In cases where it has been demonstrated that the health and safety of rural mail carriers is put at risk because of unsafe working conditions, Canada Post must make necessary changes to the delivery route in consultation with local residents and rural mail carriers.

The Canada Post Act states that the service should provide basic customary postal service while having regard for “the need to conduct its operations o a self-sustaining financial basis.”   The Financial and Policy Framework for Canada Post reflect should reflect this; thereby, excluding any provision for Canada Post to increase its profits and dividends and provide a commercial rate of return.  The NDP believes that profits from Canada Post be re-invested in public postal service.

The NDP believes that the government should instruct Canada Post to consult with the public and other major stakeholders to develop a process that makes our public post office more accountable to the public.

 

Sincerely,

Paul Dewar, MP
Ottawa-Centre