Many small businesses have expressed their support for changes to Canada Post, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ “Canada Post at a Crossroads: Small Businesses Call for Change” report.
Eighty-seven percent of small businesses back reforms to the service; 52 percent support residential mail delivery reductions and 51 percent back the implementation of community mailboxes in place of door-to-door delivery. Moreover, 42 percent support establishing franchised locations to replace corporate postal outlets.
Forty-five percent backed reducing or freezing employee compensation packages in the next few years, per the CFIB.
The federation's vice-president of national affairs, Jasmin Guénette, said that significant changes to Canada Post were necessary to ensure its financial viability. Thirteen percent of small businesses have ceased using Canada Post after the last strike, while two-thirds said they would follow suit if another strike is held.
“In the short term, the government must end the strike and ensure that all postal services are fully available while the reforms are being implemented,” Guénette said.
Dan Kelly, CFIB’s president, criticized the Canadian Union of Postal Workers for opting to “punish Canada Post’s remaining customers rather than work with the corporation and government on a plan to implement the critical changes needed to make the postal service viable.”
In July, the CFIB warned that strikes could cost Canada Post customers permanently.
The CFIB has recommended that in addition to ending the Canada Post strike immediately, the government needed to implement changes it announced previously. Moreover, Canada Post’s compensation costs must be frozen and flexible work scheduled implemented.
The federation also suggested that Canada Post be categorized as an essential service provider to prevent the possibility and effects of future work stoppages. Moreover, it recommended financial constraints to reduce repeated annual deficit.
“Canada needs a national postal service, but not in its current form. We’re glad to see the federal government taking steps to modernize Canada Post services. It’s already losing customers and millions of dollars every day. Doing nothing would just sentence Canada Post to extinction,” said Corinne Pohlmann, CFIB’s executive vice-president of advocacy, in a statement.