CARP Welcomes Committee Recommendation on Door-to-Door Mail Delivery

For Immediate Release
December 13, 2016

After having advocated strongly for the reinstatement of door-to-door delivery and a moratorium on further cuts, CARP is very pleased to read the recommendation from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, to continue the moratorium on community mailboxes and re-instate door-to-door delivery for communities that were converted to community mail boxes after August 3, 2015.

In the report entitled, The Way Forward for Canada Post, the committee has reiterated CARP’s position that a reliable door to door mail delivery service is still a vital part of Canada’s infrastructure, and a particularly important service for older Canadians.

“Finding a balance between fiscal reality and essential services has always been CARP’s message on door-to-door delivery. CARP is not opposed to efficiencies, but these cannot come at the sacrifice of essential services.” said Wanda Morris, CARP VP Advocacy and COO.

In a recent poll of CARP members, almost 1 out of 5 reported that cuts to home delivery would result in a hardship and older seniors were at the greatest disadvantage.

Statistics Canada reports that only 21% of seniors over the age of 75 used the internet.

“We cannot ignore the fact that home delivery remains an essential service for the vast majority of older Canadians,” said Morris.

CARP commends the authors of the report in conducting a fulsome, national consultation in which CARP was a vocal participant. The Committee has taken the grave concerns of seniors across Canada with appropriate urgency  and has recommended that, “Canada Post consult with stakeholders on placement and accessibility of existing community mailboxes as well as door-to-door delivery to meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities and reduced mobility” and further recommends that,“Canada Post communicate options available to seniors and people with disabilities and reduced mobility.”

CARP calls on the federal government to swiftly restore door-to-door delivery services and protect the health of our seniors.

For more information:

Wanda Morris
Vice President, Advocacy & COO
[email protected]

 

Background:

Community Mailboxes not the answer

CARP Fights for Door to Door Delivery

Don’t Leave Seniors Snowbound!

CARP Nova Scotia Fights Community Mailboxes

CARP Welcomes Backdown on Community Mailboxes

Ballot Box Issues: Restoring Door to Door

CARP Opposes Roll Out of Community Mailboxes

CARP on the Front Lines

Members join in Public Outcry