Last week, postal workers travelled to Yellowknife for Canada Post’s annual public meeting, where they offered a message to the Crown corporation’s directors: “Innovate, expand, and include Northern residents’ needs in plans for the postal service’s future.”
Held on Sept. 14 at the Explorer Hotel, the meeting saw many points of contention for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which recently issued a statement welcoming Carla Qualtrough as the new federal minister of public service and procurement.
“The North needs better services and Canada Post has a role to play,” said CUPW National President Mike Palecek. “The Liberals could deliver more to rural and especially northern communities. Canada Post should move now to restore Canada’s postal bank and the Liberal government should move to restore and expand the Food Mail program.”
“Our public postal service is already a lifeline for many living in the North. With a little innovation, it could become a major driver of social and economic development in northern communities,” he added.