• About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
Monday, January 30, 2023
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
The Brief
NB MEDIA CO-OP
Share a story
  • Articles en français
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Videos
  • NB debrief
  • Articles en français
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Videos
  • NB debrief
No Result
View All Result
NB MEDIA CO-OP
No Result
View All Result
Home *Opinion*

What if Canada Post was part of the post-COVID recovery?

by Scott Gaudet
January 28, 2021
Reading Time: 2min read
What if Canada Post was part of the post-COVID recovery?

On January 18, Canada Post Corporation (CPC) announced that 2020 was a record year for parcel delivery. Obviously, public health measures had something to do with it. But parcel delivery at CPC has been growing exponentially for the past five years, and it shows no sign of slowing down.

With this kind of growth, a corporation like Canada Post must roll up its sleeves and review its values, its commitment, and the service portfolio it offers to the population, including businesses. Canada Post already has the infrastructure and the network it needs to be an integral part of the post-COVID recovery and to become a leader in sustainable development. In doing so, it would create jobs across the country and be part of the government’s environmental plan, while also respecting its mandate to be financially self-sustaining.

To achieve this, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has launched a bold campaign called “Delivering Community Power.”

Whether in the city or in the country, in remote areas or in the suburbs, post offices are everywhere throughout Canada. CPC has more than 6,400 outlets, the largest retail network in the country.

CUPW proposes to accelerate the electrification of Canada Post’s vehicle fleet. CPC operates more than 20,000 vehicles, generating 65 kilotons of CO2 every year. The acquisition of electric vehicles would benefit the environment, stimulate the automotive sector and create decent jobs.

Now, imagine if Canada Post installed charging stations at its facilities and made them available to all, creating the largest network of charging stations in Canada. Imagine you are driving on the highway or an isolated road, but the battery of your electric car is running low. No more worries, because you know you will find a charging station at the post office in the next village.

COVID has brought to light the problem of high-speed Internet access in hundreds of communities. With its extensive presence in those communities, Canada Post could play a central role perfectly in line with the government’s commitment to bring high-speed Internet access to all communities. This also fits with Canada Post’s mission, because it supports online shopping, and online shopping fuels parcel delivery.

In 62 countries, the post office also provides banking services. Canada’s extensive postal network could also provide crucial banking services, especially in remote, rural and Indigenous communities, which have been abandoned by major banks. Did you know that there are only 66 bank branches in all 700 First Nation communities? A postal bank would have the power to reinvest in communities through infrastructure or social housing, for instance. In addition, a more inclusive postal bank would reduce the dependence of thousands of workers on payday lenders and their usurious interest rates.

Finally, imagine letter carriers knocking at the door of someone who lives alone. They could offer this check-in service at the request of a family member who could receive a notification saying that everything is fine, or that help has been called in the case of an emergency. The postal service in France and Japan already offers this service.

CUPW’s 56,000 members will not accept that Canada Post is sitting idly, refusing to change its old values and habits. I urge you to contact your Member of Parliament to demand a strong postal service for the future. It’s up to you!

Scott Gaudet is the Campaign Coordinator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ Atlantic office.

Tags: Canada PostCanadian Union of Postal WorkersCOVID-19CUPWDelivering Community PowerScott Gaudet
ShareTweetSend

Related Posts

COMMENTARY: Blaine Higgs is holding us back
New Brunswick

COMMENTARY: Blaine Higgs is holding us back

January 17, 2023

About a year ago, I wrote a piece for the NB Media Co-op in which I lamented the PC government’s...

Premier’s ‘innovative thinking’ won’t improve health care
Health

Premier’s ‘innovative thinking’ won’t improve health care

July 19, 2022

It is a political truism: there is no better time to do something controversial than on a lazy Friday afternoon,...

Post office closure plan for Deer Island opposed by leaders
New Brunswick

Post office closure plan for Deer Island opposed by leaders

July 13, 2022

Community leaders on Deer Island want Canada Post to reverse its decision to close the Leonardville Post Office. The federal...

Les deux Nouveau-Brunswick : un pour les riches, un pour tous les autres
Articles en français

Les deux Nouveau-Brunswick : un pour les riches, un pour tous les autres

April 9, 2022

Il existe deux versions du Nouveau-Brunswick. L’une est occupée par le premier ministre Blaine Higgs et les gens de son...

Load More

Recommended

IN MEMORIAM: Nell Toussaint: July 14, 1969–January 9, 2023

IN MEMORIAM: Nell Toussaint: July 14, 1969–January 9, 2023

5 days ago
Hey New Brunswick government, check your carbon tax facts! 

COMMENTARY: With the right support, New Brunswick farmers can play significant role in response to climate crisis

1 day ago
A Train in the Night that shoulda never been there: Seeking justice for Lac-Mégantic

A Train in the Night that shoulda never been there: Seeking justice for Lac-Mégantic

2 days ago
Bargaining Forward: Book co-published by CUPE, NB Media Co-op documents historic 2021 strike [video]

Bargaining Forward: Book co-published by CUPE, NB Media Co-op documents historic 2021 strike [video]

2 days ago
NB Media Co-op

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • Calendar
  • Archives

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • COVID-19
  • Videos
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Arts & Culture
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Politics
  • Rural

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In