March 24, 2005

(Letter sent to the Crossroads This Week, Shoal Lake, Manitoba)

Dear Editor:

The March 3rd article, "Rural post offices at risk: CPAA", requires some clarification.

For the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association to tell Canadians that 750 post offices across Canada are being considered for closure is simply fear mongering.

Canada Post's mandate is to provide universal and affordable postal service to all Canadians, and to earn sufficient revenues to ensure that taxpayers do not fund our operations, which has been the case since 1989.

We operate facilities in thousands of small municipalities across the country, and are responsible for more jobs in rural Canada than any other business. However many rural offices do not generate sufficient traffic or revenue to be self-sustaining, and it is increasingly difficult to maintain post offices that contribute only a few hundred dollars in annual revenue while costing thousands of dollars to operate. The overall net effect on Canada Post is a shortfall of about $100 million annually.

Over the years, Canada Post's national postal system has evolved to accommodate Canadian demographics and geography. We realize the importance of postal service to rural customers. There is no list of post offices targeted for closure. Each situation is reviewed on its own merit and every effort is made to ensure that rural Canadians receive the kind of postal service they deserve while maintaining the Corporation's financial stability.

Sincerely,

John Caines
Manager, National Media Relations
Ottawa, Canada (613) 734-7675