Canadian postmasters are concerned about future cuts to rural postal services after seeing the losses outlined in Canada Post’s recently released 2018 financial report.
Since its reinvention as a Crown corporation in 1981, Canada Post has “followed a trajectory away from a public service towards an increasingly profit-driven orientation, a move that she says is hurting rural Canadians,” reads a statement issued by the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA) earlier this month.
“Canada Post must work with us to concentrate on innovating services,” said Brenda McAuley, CPAA national president. “When the focus is on profits, services get taken away from rural and remote areas because we aren’t so profitable. The cuts and closures of our post offices can deal a death blow to rural communities.”
The CPAA has requested a meeting with Bernadette Jordan, the new cabinet minister for rural and economic development who’s currently touring Canada and seeking ideas for rural development.
If the proposed meeting goes ahead, McAuley plans to emphasize offering more services through post offices in rural communities “just makes sense if Canada Post wants to remain self-sustainable,” according to the recent CPAA statement.
There are “many innovative practices happening in other national postal systems, such as India, which recently opened a successful postal banking system aimed at reaching rural citizens,” McAuley said.
“Canada Post could give people financial services, broadband and wireless services, electric car charging stations, and other opportunities for supporting them locally,” she added. “That means they don’t have to leave their communities.”