Canada Post submits changes to federal government

The mail service promises visibility in rural communities

Canada Post is committed to servicing rural communities.

“We will provide reliable and affordable delivery for all Canadians while protecting access to vital postal services in rural, remote and Indigenous communities,” the Crown corporation said in a Nov. 10 release.

The release informs Canadians of Canada Post fulfilling its obligation to provide a transformation plan to Joël Lightbound, the federal minister of government transformation, public works and procurement.

In September, the minister announced multiple changes to help transform the mail service, which has lost more than $5 billion since 2018.

Those changes included ending a moratorium on closing rural post offices. That moratorium, enacted in 1994, has protected more than 3,200 rural offices.

Ending the moratorium would see Canada Post expand its community mailbox system for about 4 million addresses.

After the minister provided his recommendations, he gave Canada Post 45 days to submit its plan to overhaul its business model.

The Crown corporation says its transformation is guided by five principles.

Aside from the service prioritization, the principles include thoughtful procedure, respect for employees, transparency to Canadians, and flexibility.

Canada Post stands ready to provide Canadians a proper level of service.

“While our situation requires that we act with urgency, we will be thoughtful and respectful in our approach and responsive to feedback,” Doug Ettiner, president and CEO of Canada Post, said in the statement. “Canadians deserve a postal service that is strong, stable and focused on meeting their changing needs, and we are focused on delivering that.”

Canada Post is withholding details of its plan until it receives the green light from Ottawa.