There are few things that are more essential than our postal service.
Whether we live in an urban or remote community in Northern Manitoba we rely on our postal service.
That is why we have to work hard to ensure we maintain the level of postal service in our communities.
As NDP MP for Churchill I am concerned that we may be on the verge of a new round of postal service cuts that could affect us here in Northern Manitoba.
Canada Post recently conducted a strategic review that could have a significant impact on our postal service. The review has raised concerns about possible closures and privatization of service.
We currently have a moratorium on post office closures. If this moratorium was to be lifted it could have a drastic impact on rural and Northern communities.
The federal government itself has created many of the challenges the post office has been facing. It has introduced legislation to legalize the activities of re-mailers, which will erode the revenues of Canada Post Corporation needed to maintain its current Universal Service Obligation.
I believe our public post office plays a key role in our social and economic life by providing the infrastructure that healthy communities need to thrive and businesses need to grow. We all need to call on the Government of Canada to maintain the moratorium on post office closures and withdraw the legislation to legalize re-mailers.
We need to call upon the federal government to instruct Canada Post to maintain, expand and improve postal services.
Northerners have become involved in this campaign by sending letters, postcards and signing a petition. I am looking forward to presenting as many petitions as possible in the House of Commons on behalf of our communities. If you would like a copy, please contact us at 1-866-669-7770 or 677-1333. I look forward to continuing to work with you to send a strong message to the federal government to stay away from cutting and privatizing but look at supporting this vital service in the North.
