Seniors, disabled, rural and business groups concerned about massive Canada Post overhaul

Organizations representing seniors, people with disabilities and businesses are hoping for consultations with Canada Post before it stops door-to-door mail delivery and closes rural post offices.

The federal government announced Thursday that the Crown corporation — on track to lose $1.5 billion in 2025 and mired in a months-long, protracted labour dispute with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers — will end door-to-door mail delivery within the next decade.

The government said its modernization plan includes the closure of some post offices in locations that were once rural but are now in urban or suburban communities.

In response, the union declared an immediate nationwide strike.

Marni Strath, chair of the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, said many seniors were already having difficulty accessing community mailboxes before the government decided to add them in more neighbourhoods.

“They will be affected by this change the most as many are not tech-savvy enough to receive email, and rely heavily on Canada Post to deliver not only their personal correspondence but government payments and other sensitive material,” Strath said.

“A lot of seniors are not very mobile. And, for many in rural areas, picking up their mail is a way of life.”

David Kron, executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, said he is concerned about what any changes will mean to people living with disabilities, especially in rural areas or on First Nations.

“It is one thing to go to a post office box to pick up something, but it is another to have to go to the next town,” Kron said. “That’s problematic. I really hope they consult with their customers and with people of all abilities.

“Don’t do it to us without us.”

Denys Volkov, executive director of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, said the organization looks forward to reviewing the Canada Post Action Plan.

“(We) urge that its details clarify how these changes will affect Manitoban communities,” Volkov said.

“Reliable mail delivery services in local communities remain vitally important, as many depend on regular postal access for essential communications. Any decisions to alter delivery days or services should be made in consultation with the communities affected, since local needs vary widely.”

Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, said he hopes for a broad consultation before changes are made.

“We would like to know more about what they are trying to achieve,” Davidson said. “All we know is the model they have isn’t working and the challenge has been that businesses have found other options.

“The questions are, can you drive additional revenue? Or do you have to find efficiencies? That’s the challenge they have.”

Meanwhile, Janet Johnson, president of the Manitoba bureau of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association, said “it would be devastating if we closed.”

“I hope Canada Post realizes we need these rural offices. We are the centre of the community and there are lots of places where the postal office is all that’s there now,” she said.

“A lot of Canadians don’t realize this is all we have. We don’t have 10 different couriers we can go to. Canada Post is all there is.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca