The federal government said today it will review how stamp-rate increases are approved, with Minister Joël Lightbound pledging to “modernize and shorten” the process in line with recommendations made by William Kaplan’s Industrial Inquiry Commission earlier this year.
For collectors and dealers, that pledge signals a shift toward more frequent, smaller step-ups to the domestic letter rate. Kaplan’s report described the current approval system as “cumbersome and outdated” and urged Ottawa to give Canada Post more flexibility to adjust prices. By adopting that recommendation, the government is setting the stage for a new rhythm in how often postage costs change.
The implications for the hobby are immediate. Collectors on standing orders will see the cost of new commemoratives rise each time the rate moves upward, even though “Permanent” stamps already in hand remain valid. Dealers who depend on the mail to reach customers – through approvals, catalogues and flyers – face higher budgets that accumulate with every adjustment. The higher face values on new commemoratives could also dampen impulse purchases.
In the past, collectors tended to buy heavily before an announced increase and slow their spending afterwards, drawing down their stock. If increases are approved more often, that cycle may become a constant feature of the market, affecting how Canada Post plans its program and how collectors and dealers manage their budgets. For the stamp community, the minister’s endorsement of Kaplan’s findings makes clear that change is coming – and that the cost of collecting, mailing and dealing will be more closely tied to the frequency of future rate reviews.