by Rhonda Massad
In 2013 Canada Post implemented their five point Action Plan, which is expected to contribute financial benefits of an estimated $700 million to $900 million a year to the Corporation’s bottom line, with hopes of curtailing a billion dollar loss in 2020 if they did not change things up. Last week the Montreal Commission on Social Development and diversity submitted a report with recommendations against the crown corporation’s action plan.
Mayor of Kirkland, Michel Gibson, who sits on the commission, felt that the recommendations by the commission were too little too late for Kirkland. After having examined all possible options including legal action, Gibson felt Canada Post could not be stopped.
“Had the commission been sitting a year ago we would have had a better chance at making changes,” Gibson explained in an interview, “the commission heard from seniors groups, handicapped groups and all the other groups you would expect. But I simply do not see any hope for action in a federal election year.”
Kirkland council has taken a close look at all the locations that are expected to receive the 122 new community mail boxes.
“The councillors reviewed each location and mailbox sites in their districts,” Gibson said, “The mail boxes will be positioned based on an existing structure. We had about 6 minor adjustments.”
The city of Kirkland plans to sign an agreement with Post Canada to ensure their commitment to maintain the community mail boxes and keep them free from snow as well as graffiti.
In April 2013, a Conference Board of Canada study projected a financial loss of close to $1 billion by 2020 unless Canada Post makes fundamental changes to its business. A projection of that magnitude was directionally consistent with Canada Post’s own projections.
According to the Canadian Postal Service Charter the company is mandated to operate with revenues generated from the sale of its products without the input of taxpayers dollars. The other four parts of the action plan will touch such areas as a new approach to pricing letter mail, expanding convenience through postal franchises, streamlining operations and addressing the cost of labour. Two thirds of Canadian households received their mail and parcels through community mailboxes prior to the implementation of the action plan.
