Harper's 'Tough on Crime' Government is Soft on Illegal Mailers

OTTAWA, April 26 /CNW Telbec/ - The Conservatives pride themselves on being a law and order government and yet part of their budget bill would allow international mailers that have been illegally operating to continue operating according to CUPW National President Denis Lemelin.

"Instead of getting tough on these illegal postal operations, the Tories are holding the door open for them with Part 15 of the budget bill," said Lemelin.

Part 15 would partially deregulate Canada Post by removing international letters from the corporation's exclusive privilege to handle letters.

"International mailers are illegally draining millions of dollars in revenue from Canada Post each year," said Lemelin. "This is revenue that our public post office needs to do its job of providing affordable postal service to everyone, no matter where they live."

Lemelin said declining letter volumes mean our post office badly needs this business but Part 15 of the budget bill would take it out of Canada Post's hands.

"The government's move would hurt rural communities the most," said Lemelin. "Rural residents are the most likely to suffer service cuts and rate hikes as a result of the gradual erosion of the exclusive privilege."

CUPW is calling for the severing of Part 15 of the federal budget, which contains the deregulatory move. Severing this section would allow the rest of the budget to be voted on without triggering an election. The move to deregulate Canada Post would then be exposed to further scrutiny by members of Parliament.

For further information: Aalya Ahmad, Communications Specialist, CUPW, [phone] and/or [email protected]