Letter to the Editor
The Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA), represents 8318 Canada Post Corporation employees, who work in the Rural Post Offices. On September 2nd, the President of our Association sent a letter to the four major political leaders of Canada requesting that they outline their respective party's views on four key issues of interest to our members, indeed to all rural residents of Canada:
- Maintaining postal services in rural and remote Canadian communities
- The privatization or deregulation of Canada Post Corporation
- Expending products and services in the Post Offices in rural and remote
areas
- Expending governmental services utilizing the rural postal network
To date and in order of receipt, we received replies from the Bloc Quebecois, the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party. The following are some highlights from the parties' responses:
Bloc Quebecois:
"...(we are) firmly opposed to the privatization, even partial, of Canada
Post."
"the strategic review...could have significant impact causing damages to
the postal delivery as we know it today."
"(we) demand that Canada Post restores and maintains the rural service."
Liberal Party:
"In the eighties, we fought the Mulroney Conservatives' decision to close
rural post offices. In 1993, a Liberal government imposed a moratorium on rural post office closures."
"With regard to the issue of privatization or deregulation of Canada Post
Corporation, the Liberal Party does not support its privatization and/or
deregulation."
"Liberals brought forward a motion calling on the Conservative government to
allow Canada Post to maintain traditional rural and remote mail delivery -
the motion passed unanimously in the House of Commons."
New Democratic Party:
"...deregulation could result in raising prices, reducing service, a loss of
jobs, hurting the environment and reducing the security and privacy of the
mail. The NDP is committed to continue to work with like-minded groups like
yours, to stop the Conservative government's push for de-regulation."
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, we still have not received a response
from Mr. Harper's Conservative Party, despite a follow up letter sent on
September 26th to Mr. Lawrence Cannon, Minister responsible for Canada Post
Corporation.
CPAA believes that maintaining postal service in rural Canada is essential
to the future of rural communities. We respectfully ask that you consider
the above information when you cast your ballot on October 14, 2008.
Thank you,
Daniel L Maheux
National Secretary Treasurer, CPAA-ACMPA
-30-
Note: Our letters and the Political Parties responses are reproduced in full
on the Associations' web site; www.cpaa-acmpa.ca
