Canada PoliticsMajority of Canadians oppose Canada Post changes: poll
Based on the public outcry over the restructuring at Canada Post, this probably shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.
But here it is: Canadians don't support the changes.
According to an Angus Reid poll, published on Wednesday, 58 per cent of those surveyed oppose the crown corporation's decision to end door-to-door mail delivery service in urban areas.
"Unsurprisingly, those who still receive door-to-door mail delivery are most opposed to an end to this service (73%), followed by apartment and condominium dwellers who pick up mail from their lobby (62%)," notes a press release attached to the survey.
"However, a clear majority of surveyed Canadians who already pick up mail from a community mailbox in their neighbourhood support the changes (59%)."
[ Related: Will the Canada Post overhaul become an election issue? ]
In addition to ending door to door service, Canada Post has decided to boost the price of stamps and cut as many as 8,000 jobs in a move that, senior management hopes, will put the corporation on a more solid financial footing.
Angus Reid reports that Canadians are weary about those changes as well.
Below are some statements people have made about Canada Post and these planned changes – Agreement Summary
With community mailboxes, I'm concerned that personal information might not be secure: 52 per cent
The postage increase will definitely make me cut back on my use of the mail: 65 per cent
Mail has become out-of-date, and we should change with the times: 40 per cent
Canada Post should be privatized, sold to the private sector: 38 per cent
Losing home mail delivery will pose a real hardship for some people: 80 per cent
Canada Post should have to cover all its own costs, and not be subsidized by taxpayers: 64 per cent
I'm worried about the loss of 6,000 to 8,000 Canada Post jobs over the next few years as a result of the changes: 71 per cent
To me, Canada Post provides an essential service and should maintain its current service levels: 70 per cent
[ More Canadian Politics: Should Canadians pay a cross-border fee to cover road, transit costs? ]
Canadians aren't just voicing their opposition to the pollsters — they're taking action.
On Wednesday CUPW — the union representing Canada Post workers — held a protest and delivered 12,000 postcards from "angry" Canadians at the office of Transport Minister Lisa Raitt.
And, in Ottawa, opposition parties had the opportunity to grill Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra at an emergency session of the House of Commons transport committee.
"Harper’s Conservatives can find millions to keep his well-connected friends in the Senate but he can't find a way to keep mail coming to your door," NDP MP Oliva Chow said in a news release last week.
"That tells you what Conservative priorities are. These short-sighted service cuts will have the biggest impact on seniors and persons with disabilities.
"You don’t save a business by cutting services, driving away customers and raising costs. The Conservatives waited until the House had risen to deliver this lump of coal to Canadians. Canadians deserve better."
The Angus Reid Global survey was conducted online on December 13, 2013 with 1,010 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The margin of error – which measures sampling variability – is +/- 3.1 per cent.
The full survey report can be viewed here.
(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)
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