Nykole King, Regina Leader-Post
A northern Saskatchewan postal workers union says it’s “hurtful” to see the federal government announce plans for phasing out mail service, which resulted in an immediate nationwide strike by Canada Post employees on Thursday.
“It’s hurtful to hear they yet again want to cut work (and) cut services to the people of Canada,” said Ben McCloy, a Prince Albert letter carrier and president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 810.
The Canadian government revealed Thursday it would be ending door-to-door mail delivery for almost all households within the next decade and lifting the moratorium on rural post office closures.
“In response to the government’s attack on our postal service and workers, effective immediately all CUPW members at Canada Post are on a nationwide strike,” the union wrote in a statement.
A part of McCloy was “absolutely shocked” to hear the government’s announcement, but another part is “not surprised” the employer has chosen this course given the tone of past contract negotiations.
McCloy saw 10 full-time letter carriers laid off in 2013 when Prince Albert moved completely to community mailboxes.
“The post office is the hub for a lot of small communities, small farm towns (and) areas near reservations,” said the letter carrier of 21 years. “That’s where they get their mail. If you shut those down, people may have to travel 100 kilometres to a larger centre, like a Prince Albert, Regina or Saskatoon, to get their mail.”
McCloy’s service area covers as far north as La Ronge and as far east as Choiceland. If any of those rural offices were shut down, he estimates that residents might have to travel 50-80 kilometres for mail services.
Federal Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound said sweeping changes are being made to set the Crown corporation on a path to sustainability after it has accumulated billions in consecutive losses.
The news comes after the Industrial Inquiry Commission submitted a report on Canada Post to the federal government on May 15 which recommended phasing out door-to-door service.
“Canada Post is effectively insolvent, and it is facing an existential crisis,” the minister said.
The transition of four million individual addresses to community mailboxes would happen over the next nine years, according to the announcement. Options would be available for seniors and those facing mobility issues, Lightbound said.
Lifting the ban on rural post office closures, in place since 1994, could also free up land in areas to build more housing, added the minister.
Lightbound suggested the moratorium was no longer serving its purpose since many areas that were rural back in 1994 have grown into suburban communities.
Canada Post will have 45 days to come up with a plan for the government’s recommendations, which will determine the specific timeline for implementation.
It’s unclear yet how many towns and villages across Saskatchewan could be affected, but Esterhazy Mayor Randy Bot says it’s an “especially important” service for communities like his.
“A reduction in service or closure of rural post offices would create real challenges for our residents, particularly seniors, those with limited mobility and people without easy access to transportation,” Bot said in an email to the Leader-Post.
He added that local delivery is also necessary for businesses to operate, for personal medical needs and for residents to stay connected with family.
“In towns like ours, the post office is more than just a mail service,” Bot added. “It’s also a hub of connection and a symbol of being equally served no matter where you live in Canada.”
— with files from Stephanie Taylor at the National Post and the Canadian Press.
nyking@postmedia.com
