MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 24, 2018 /CNW/ - As a valued public enterprise that will serve Canada for decades to come, Canada Post must continue to be adaptable, enable ongoing innovations and provide good service to Canadians.
Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced the government's vision for renewal at Canada Post, putting service to Canadians front and centre. In support of the new vision, the government outlined new measures and provided guidance for the renewal of Canada Post.
This new vision is that of a renewed Canada Post that will provide high-quality service at a reasonable price to Canadians, no matter where they live. The Corporation's leadership and its employees will work in partnership to adapt, meet challenges and take advantage of opportunities created by, among other things, new technologies and the evolving expectations of its customers and the communities it serves.
Aligned with the service-first vision, the program to convert home delivery to community mailboxes will be terminated effective immediately, building on the previously announced moratorium. Additionally, to help those who have difficulty accessing community mailboxes, Canada Post will significantly expand its accessibility program. This will help seniors and others with reduced mobility access their mail, and result in better service for tens of thousands of Canadians. The government is asking Canada Post to set up a panel of experts and advocates for seniors and people with disabilities to advise on the development, implementation and promotion of an enhanced accessibility program.
In addition, Canada Post will be reclassified under the Financial Administration Act with the strengthened expectation that it will reinvest all of its profits in service and innovation. It will also promote its affordable remittance services to Canadians through its vast network of post offices across the country.
New leadership is key to Canada Post's future success and to create the foundation needed for renewal. Recently, Minister Qualtrough announced the appointment of Jessica L. McDonald as the Chair of Canada Post's Board of Directors to oversee the implementation of the new vision, which is outlined in a letter. Her appointment is part of a broader renewal of the Board of Directors, incorporating greater diversity and broader perspectives, including labour. The government is also asking the Board to build more collaborative and constructive relations with communities, employees, labour and other stakeholders.
The actions announced today are the first step of a longer-term process for renewing Canada Post so that it will remain relevant, valued and viable for the long term, and continue to provide good middle-class jobs and valued services to Canadians.
Quotes
"Service to Canadians must be at the heart of Canada Post's work. Our government is laying the foundation for the long-term renewal of Canada Post so that it can continue to connect Canadians from coast to coast to coast. This foundation for renewal will be critical in building Canada Post into an innovative organization that can quickly adapt and respond to new technologies and the shifting expectations of Canadians in a sustainable way."
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Public Services and Procurement
"It's an honour to be chosen to lead the renewal of a treasured Canadian institution. The first priority for our leadership team will be to focus on a collaborative and positive relationship with Canada Post's employees and the unions that represent them. They have a key role in creating the innovative culture and flexibility needed to ensure the Corporation continues to deliver high-quality affordable services that meet the evolving needs of Canadians."
Jessica L. McDonald
Chair, Board of Directors, Canada Post
Quick facts
- This renewed direction takes into consideration the evidence and perspectives gathered during the comprehensive review launched in May 2016, including the work of the independent Task Force, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, and input received from Canadians.
- The government carried out a two-phased evidence-based review of Canada Post in which Canadians across the country were provided with a range of opportunities to share their views, needs and expectations about postal services.
- Canadians participated through written correspondence, emails, social media, online surveys, public hearings and town halls. In addition, public opinion research conducted for the Canada Post Review concluded that the vast majority of Canadians value Canada Post as a public institution and are highly satisfied with the services they receive. Of Canadians surveyed, 94% say the ability to send and receive mail is highly important to them. As well, 91% of Canadians and 83% of businesses surveyed are satisfied with the services Canada Post delivers.
- Canada Post and its close to 64,000 employees have been working hard to adapt to a rapidly changing business environment. This includes providing customers with more flexible delivery options and improving operational processes.
- In 2016, Canada Post delivered 8.4 billion pieces of mail to 16 million addresses across Canada. This included delivering 2 out of every 3 parcels ordered by Canadians online. During the 2017 holiday season, Canada Post experienced the highest volume in parcel deliveries in recent history.
Related products
- Backgrounder – New vision for Canada Post centred on service to Canadians
- Backgrounder - Canada Post Review
- Letter from the Minister to the Chair of Canada Post's Board of Directors
Associated links
- Canada Post Review
- Canada Post in the Digital Age
- The Way Forward for Canada Post
- Government's Response to the Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates
- Public Opinion Research: Canada Post Review
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SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada
Ashley Michnowski, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, 819-997-5421, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Services and Procurement Canada, 819-420-5501, [email protected]
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