OGGO Committee Report
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Mr. Tom Lukiwski, MP Dear Mr. Lukiwski: On behalf of the Government of Canada, I thank the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, for the Committee’s Report entitled The Way Forward for Canada Post. Our Government promised Canadians it would undertake a new review of Canada Post to make sure it provides quality service at a reasonable price to Canadians no matter where they live. To meet this commitment, a Review of Canada Post was initiated to provide the information and evidence Canadians and the Government require to make informed choices about the future of the Corporation. I commend the Standing Committee’s contribution to the Canada Post Review and its diligence in holding extensive public consultations with Canadians from coast to coast to coast to obtain their views and opinions on the future of Canadian postal services. The Government recognizes and appreciates the hard work and dedication involved, and acknowledges the time Members had to take away from other Parliamentary work, their constituencies and their families. The importance of Canada Post to Canadians was underscored by the over two hundred witnesses who met with the Committee, and the over five thousand individuals and organizations who responded to the Committee’s e-consultations. The Committee’s expansive Report and its 45 recommendations provide valuable information and advice to the Government regarding Canada Post’s service model, governance structure, its challenges and opportunities, and its value to Canadians. I note the Committee’s conclusion that it is essential that Canada Post maintain good communications with its employees, clients and stakeholders, and that the Corporation should focus its activities and decisions on maintaining reliable service, on mail security, and on its infrastructure to serve Canadians in all regions of the country. The Committee found that there is wide consensus that Canada Post is an important driver of national and regional economic and social inclusion, and that despite digital alternatives to mail delivery, Canada Post remains a key national communication network. Fair and equitable access to postal services across the country is of paramount importance, especially in rural and remote regions where Canada Post’s infrastructure plays an important role in the local economy, and is often the main federal government presence in the community. Postal services around the world are confronting challenges as lettermail volumes drop and digital alternatives gain popularity. Yet, Canadians expect Canada Post to continue to provide core postal services in a financially and environmentally sustainable manner. They also expect innovative products and services matched to their diverse and evolving postal needs. Finding ways for Canada Post to better meet these challenges and ensure its sustainability to provide Canadians, no matter where they live, with the 21st century postal services they value and need is what the review of Canada Post has been about. Our Government is giving careful consideration to the Standing Committee’s recommendations as it develops its vision for a renewed Canada Post Corporation. Our priority is to prepare a strategy for Canada Post that will make sure it provides the quality services that Canadians deserve. As the Government advances a comprehensive approach on the future of Canada Post in 2017, I will be pleased to engage further with the Committee on this issue of importance to all Canadians. Sincerely, |