Canada Post's phasing out of home mail delivery

[rocketphish]

Canada Post delivers unhappy surprise to Kanata neighbourhood

Karen Henderson, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: November 3, 2015 | Last Updated: November 3, 2015 6:04 PM EST



Residents in a Kanata neighbourhood were aghast when they discovered their new community mailbox was left wide open Tuesday for what they think was more than one hour.

Sibly Hill was returning home when she saw the mailbox at Best Way and Selye Crescent, doors agape, residents’ letters and parcels exposed.

She said one of her neighbours “had her chin on her knees” when she saw it.

“Everybody who passed by was quite appalled.”

Judging from when the mail is usually delivered, Hill said, the box might have been open an hour or more.

She said she called a number on the mailbox and was told it could take up to four hours for someone to come and lock it up. Fellow resident Ethel Archard ran to a nearby post office to report the breach when she heard of the possible long wait.

A Canada Post employee arrived roughly 30 minutes after Hill’s call to secure the doors.

While Hill said she doesn’t think her neighbourhood had trouble converting to community mailboxes, she is frustrated by the lack of security. She called the incident “egregious.”

“Their whole selling point was, this is much more secure than just having a mailbox hanging off your front door. It’s locked, and you’re the only person with access to it.”

Anick Losier, a spokeswoman for Canada Post, said in an email that such incidents are rare but the Crown corporation takes them very seriously.

“We truly appreciate the diligence of the resident who contacted us, which is exactly what anyone who has concerns about their mail should do.”

Losier said that the breach will be investigated to find out what happened and make sure it is not repeated.

Announced in late 2013, the transition to community boxes in established neighbourhoods with door-to-door service has caused widespread protests. The process was halted at the end of October after the federal Liberal Party, which had promised to stop the plan and undertake a review of Canada Post, won a majority government.

khenderson@ottawacitizen.com

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-...-left-unlocked

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

We in our part of the neighbourhood are quite happy that we continue to receive door-to-door (others further west are not so lucky). What I'm hearing from my neighbours and a few family members is that Canada Post should have asked Canadians first rather than just going ahead with it, as well as discovering that many of us would be perfectly happy receiving mail only two or three times a week if that helps save money.

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

We in our part of the neighbourhood are quite happy that we continue to receive door-to-door (others further west are not so lucky). What I'm hearing from my neighbours and a few family members is that Canada Post should have asked Canadians first rather than just going ahead with it, as well as discovering that many of us would be perfectly happy receiving mail only two or three times a week if that helps save money.

A friend of mine works for Can. Post on the team that is doing the transition. Yes, simply simply cutting back to two or three times a week would be best, but apparently the union raised hell about it.

[rocketphish]

Kanata resident locked out of Canada Post community mailbox for more than a month

Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: December 1, 2016 | Last Updated: December 1, 2016 8:19 PM EST

For 12-year-old Finlay Boyce of Kanata, it was the most difficult Pokémon quest of all — getting the game out of his family’s Canada Post community mailbox that had been locked up tight for more than a month.

The reason? Canada Post had begun upgrading the locks on community mailboxes after complaints last winter about the locks freezing up. The Boyces had been locked out since.

“He’s just been champing at the bit,” says his father, Kevin Boyce. “The poor guy. The game came out. Everyone else has got it. He ordered his months in advance so he could get it first. He’s been, ‘Can we get the keys? Can we get the keys?”

The good news is the Boyces finally got their keys Thursday night, but only after taking their complaint to the Citizen.

Boyce first emailed Canada Post about the problem on Nov. 18.

“We figured it was going to be a no-brainer. They’ll just give us a new key. It might take a day or two,” he said.

Not so lucky. First, Canada Post promised a solution by Nov. 23, but that date came and went. Boyce said he talked to Canada Post customer service and was told the problem affected “about 300 people” and then, by another customer service rep, that the number was “way beyond that.”

Canada Post said Thursday that the Boyces had probably just missed picking up their key. The corporation says it sent out a letter about the change five weeks before the switch and a second letter and a set of two keys three weeks before. If the keys were still there when the new locks were installed, they were taken back to the postal depot while a third copy of the key — one used to test the new lock — was left behind.

Customers who are locked out should be able to pick up the other two keys at their local post depot, said Canada Post spokesman Jon Hamilton.

“We’re not going to just drop them at someone’s home because that would be a security issue,” Hamilton said.

But Hamilton acknowledged that going four weeks without mail was too long and promised to look into the Boyces’ situation and why they hadn’t been told how to pick up their keys. Thursday night, Canada Post sent a worker to replace the lock a second time and hand deliver a new set of keys to the Boyce family.

“We’re still looking into why the original complaint wasn’t handled as quickly as it should have been,” Hamilton said in an email Thursday night.

A similar lockout problem that affected 29 houses in Ottawa’s Blossom Park neighbourhood this week was due to a “timing issue”, Hamilton said. The new keys were placed in the boxes late and didn’t give customers enough time to get them before the locks were switched. Some of those keys have been hand delivered while others will have to be picked up after customers are notified.

Boyce was happy to finally get into the mailbox — where Finlay’s Pokémon was waiting — but he wasn’t happy about having had to wait so long.

“I’m only talking about Pokémon Sun and Moon, but some people may be missing some important health stuff, important government stuff. There can be serious consequences. I may have some government tax stuff that I’ve not been able to get. Who knows how full that mailbox is after four weeks?”

bcrawford@postmedia.com

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-...-mailbox-mixup

[rocketphish]

Commons committee recommends Canada Post bring back door to door mail delivery

The Canadian Press ~ OBJ
Published on December 14, 2016

A House of Commons committee is recommending Canada Post come up with a plan to reinstate door-to-door delivery in parts of the country that lost the service in the last year and maintain a freeze on the installation of community mailboxes.

The report from the Liberal-dominated committee released Tuesday also says there is no need to reduce the number of days a week that mail is delivered, suggesting reduced service standards could accelerate the decline the corporation has seen in the number of letters handled.

The committee says that based on its hearings, Canadians are open to mail being delivered fewer than five days a week, but that "does not fit the business models of either Canada Post or its paying customers."

Instead, the committee recommends increases in postal rates, muses about expanding Canada Post's mandate to provide cellular services or broadband Internet, including email services or "the basis for a Canadian social network," and suggests the corporation partner with e-commerce companies to increase revenues.

The president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said thousands of homes would still not have door-to-door delivery under the committee's recommendation because many addresses were moved over to community mailboxes in 2014 and early 2015. Mike Palecek said the union won't be satisfied until every address that had door-to-door delivery gets the service back.

In a statement, Canada Post said it will study the recommendations in the report as it looks for major changes to keep itself viable. The statement also points to another issue that appears in the report, namely the "difficulty in finding common ground" on the issues facing Canada Post.

There was also political dissent among committee members on how precisely the agency should change.

Conservatives on the committee said the recommendations do nothing to address Canada Post's serious financial shortfalls. Conservative public services critic Alupa Clarke said the majority report makes recommendations that are "either value statements, repetitious, or existing Canada Post practices" and avoids any discussion about the cost to Canada Post and taxpayers.

The NDP's dissenting report criticized both the Liberals and Conservatives for closing the door on exploring postal banking services, an idea recommended by the postal union. It was also critical of the recommendation to return door-to-door delivery only to those homes that lost the service after Aug. 3, 2015.

The corporation began reducing door-to-door delivery last year, arguing that it could save up to $450 million annually by moving five million more addresses to community mailboxes. The committee said Canada Post provided "weak" financial information to support the estimate.

The committee notes that 830,000 addresses have been moved to community mailboxes to date, resulting in an annual saving of $80 million.

The union representing postal workers made the community mailbox issue a campaign issue and kept it in the public spotlight over the summer when Canada Post and CUPW stared down the threat of a work disruption amid questions about the future of the mail service.

A consultant's report provided to the federal task force struck to review Canada Post operations, which the committee quoted in its report, predicted that Canada Post wouldn't viable in the long-term without sweeping changes. The Ernst & Young report forecast annual losses of at least $700 million by 2026.

http://www.obj.ca/Canada---World/201...ail-delivery/1

[acottawa]

Yes, CanadaPostBook sounds like the kind of service Canadians are going to sign up for in droves.

Pipe dreams aside, there are really only two options here. Either Canada Post has to reduce its expenses through things like less frequent service, community mail boxes or reduced wages/pensions or the government has so subsidize Canada Post's operations.

[1overcosc]

For once I actually agree with the NDP; postal banking is something that should have been considered. It wouldn't make much profit but it could provide a very useful financial service to groups like on-reserve aboriginals and the urban working poor, both of whom are poorly served by the existing financial system. In particular postal banking could be a powerful weapon against legal loansharks payday loan stores.

As for the pension crisis an elegant solution would be to merge the Canada Post pension plan into the standard public service pension plan. The public service plan is well funded and it could easily absorb the postal plan's shortfalls.

If we are going to go down the reduced-service route, I'd prefer reducing the frequency of delivery to 4 times a day over eliminating door-to-door delivery.

[HighwayStar]

I live in Westboro, was converted to CMB last year and wouldn't have it any other way. I love it and go out of my way to order online with Canada Post delivery (due to the large locked boxes for parcels).

Infinitely better than heading off to some hardware store for my courier pickup.

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

For once I actually agree with the NDP; postal banking is something that should have been considered. It wouldn't make much profit but it could provide a very useful financial service to groups like on-reserve aboriginals and the urban working poor, both of whom are poorly served by the existing financial system. In particular postal banking could be a powerful weapon against legal loansharks payday loan stores.

Well there may be some validity to this point... it sounds like an incredibly niche service and not something that will go a long way to saving CUPW.

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

As for the pension crisis an elegant solution would be to merge the Canada Post pension plan into the standard public service pension plan. The public service plan is well funded and it could easily absorb the postal plan's shortfalls.

ELEGANT???? This has to be one of the silliest suggestions ever typed.

Canada will slowly discover that the DB plans of the Federal Govt are anything but sustainable. Every Public Sector government on the planet is slowly waking up to the fact a DB Pension train wreck is coming faster than "climate change".

The point of Crown Corporations is to operate at a financially sustainable basis, at arms length.

If you are seriously suggesting the Feds "absorb" CPs pension obligations, then I humbly suggest that the Feds absorb the unfunded retirements of private sector employees and provide them DB pensions too. why not?? if they are so sustainable

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

If we are going to go down the reduced-service route, I'd prefer reducing the frequency of delivery to 4 times a day over eliminating door-to-door delivery.

Actually, parcel delivery is the future of CP. CUPW is actively blocking the desire of CP to provide 7 day delivery during the holiday season.

Complete the conversion to CMBs!! Try it... you'll like it

and 7 day delivery at certain times of the year... but unfortunately CUPW is stuck in the 1950s and determined to drag CP down with it.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

For once I actually agree with the NDP; postal banking is something that should have been considered. It wouldn't make much profit but it could provide a very useful financial service to groups like on-reserve aboriginals and the urban working poor, both of whom are poorly served by the existing financial system. In particular postal banking could be a powerful weapon against legal loansharks payday loan stores.

As for the pension crisis an elegant solution would be to merge the Canada Post pension plan into the standard public service pension plan. The public service plan is well funded and it could easily absorb the postal plan's shortfalls.

If we are going to go down the reduced-service route, I'd prefer reducing the frequency of delivery to 4 times a day over eliminating door-to-door delivery.

The public service pension is designed to meet existing demand. If postal liabilities are added contributions would have to go up.

In Europe postal banks provide regular retail banking and have been established for decades and are no longer owned by post offices. The post office has no experience in running a bank, and if the government wanted to get into the banking business I don't see why there would be an advantage to involving Canada post.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by HighwayStar

Well there may be some validity to this point... it sounds like an incredibly niche service and not something that will go a long way to saving CUPW.

That's what I meant when I said it wasn't really an idea to make a profit. It's a great idea that has a lot of merit in other respects, but as a solution to Canada Post's financial woes, it doesn't do much.

Originally Posted by HighwayStar

ELEGANT???? This has to be one of the silliest suggestions ever typed.

Canada will slowly discover that the DB plans of the Federal Govt are anything but sustainable. Every Public Sector government on the planet is slowly waking up to the fact a DB Pension train wreck is coming faster than "climate change".

The point of Crown Corporations is to operate at a financially sustainable basis, at arms length.

If you are seriously suggesting the Feds "absorb" CPs pension obligations, then I humbly suggest that the Feds absorb the unfunded retirements of private sector employees and provide them DB pensions too. why not?? if they are so sustainable

I think you misread my point. I work for the federal civil service and I honestly think getting rid of the DB pension is a good idea. We pay an insane amount of payroll taxes to cover it and CPP expansion makes it possible for people not to have workplace pensions anymore.

What I meant by "sustainable" isn't "affordable". What I meant was that, at current contribution rates (which are evenly split between employees and the taxpayer) combined with the reserve fund, the public service pension plan is capable of covering its future payout obligations with a bunch left over... it's "solvent", to use the technical jargon. Whereas, the Canada Post plan is not. By merging the two plans, the extra safety margin the public service pension plan has could be used to offset the shortfall the Canada Post plan has, which could make both plans solvent without any additional costs to anyone.

As for climate change vs. DB plans.. it's pretty obvious that climate change is a much worse problem. Let's see.. higher-than-necessary public spending, or the end of civilization?

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by acottawa

The public service pension is designed to meet existing demand. If postal liabilities are added contributions would have to go up.

In Europe postal banks provide regular retail banking and have been established for decades and are no longer owned by post offices. The post office has no experience in running a bank, and if the government wanted to get into the banking business I don't see why there would be an advantage to involving Canada post.

The main advantage to using Canada Post is its geographic reach. There aren't many other public institutions that could create such an extensive branch network without a lot of extra spending... especially in remote areas. Canada Post has an outlet in pretty much every remote northern community, which is one of the key demographics that would benefit from postal banking.

Internet banking is all fine and dandy for most people. I personally bank with Tangerine, haven't stepped inside a physical bank in about 3 years. But for the vulnerable demographic of urban poor that are currently subjected to debt slavery by payday lenders, in-person service is necessary.

A national program akin to the "community loan" program just launched by Causeway here in Ottawa, combined with bans or heavy restrictions on payday lending, is a necessary step forward, and Canada Post is best positioned to implement it.

[acottawa]

The problem with nearly all of the zany schemes provided by the committee and unions is that they all involve:

Canada Post entering into direct competition with the private sector where they have no expertise or no comparative advantage (banking, social media, telecommunications).

or

Letter carriers performing additional services where they have no training and no expertise with either no source of revenue (checking on old people) or no reason people would want to pay letter carrier wages to do something others can do cheaper (mowing lawns).

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by HighwayStar

go out of my way to order online with Canada Post delivery (due to the large locked boxes for parcels).

I do this too, mostly because private couriers suck. The pickup points are always really far away with terrible hours. Whereas with Canada Post the pickup is at the end of my street.

[HighwayStar]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Let's see.. higher-than-necessary public spending, or the end of civilization?

Wow... simply wow... unless we send Billions to California to Trade our Cap... civilization will end? Time for a grown up adult conversation on that subject

As to the future of Canada Post:
- Full conversion to Community Mailboxes.
- Possibly reduce service during mail "slow season"
- 7 day service during peak periods.
- Allow hiring of part-time employees to meet demand during peak periods.
- Elimination of DB Pension immediately for new hires.
- Any pension shortfall must be absorbed by current employees.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by HighwayStar

Wow... simply wow... unless we send Billions to California to Trade our Cap... civilization will end? Time for a grown up adult conversation on that subject \

When did I say that civilization will end without the Government of Ontario's cap and trade program?

Climate change is the #1 greatest threat to our future and tackling it needs to be the #1 priority of all governments. As for the form of the action, we can definitely do better than our cap and trade program, I'll agree to that.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by HighwayStar

As to the future of Canada Post:
- Full conversion to Community Mailboxes.
- Possibly reduce service during mail "slow season"
- 7 day service during peak periods.
- Allow hiring of part-time employees to meet demand during peak periods.
- Elimination of DB Pension immediately for new hires.
- Any pension shortfall must be absorbed by current employees.

I would agree with all of those points, with the addition of lettermail delivery being culled back to 4 days a week, year round. Parcel delivery shouldn't be affected and I'll agree that it should be at 7 days during December.

It would probably take a constitutional amendment to get rid of the DB plan, though, seeing as of how all of the necessary union-busting techniques are unconstitutional for a government to do.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

The main advantage to using Canada Post is its geographic reach. There aren't many other public institutions that could create such an extensive branch network without a lot of extra spending... especially in remote areas. Canada Post has an outlet in pretty much every remote northern community, which is one of the key demographics that would benefit from postal banking.

Internet banking is all fine and dandy for most people. I personally bank with Tangerine, haven't stepped inside a physical bank in about 3 years. But for the vulnerable demographic of urban poor that are currently subjected to debt slavery by payday lenders, in-person service is necessary.

A national program akin to the "community loan" program just launched by Causeway here in Ottawa, combined with bans or heavy restrictions on payday lending, is a necessary step forward, and Canada Post is best positioned to implement it.

Rural post offices are usually pretty limited operations: one employee, closed at lunch, etc. Adding vaults, training, security measures, banking equipment, computer networks, etc would be a massive and very expensive undertaking. It would certainly not help Canada Post's financial situation. Urban areas hardly have any actual post offices (there are a handful in all of Ottawa) so serving low-income areas would require a large investment in new post offices.

[HighwayStar]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

I would agree with all of those points, with the addition of lettermail delivery being culled back to 4 days a week, year round. Parcel delivery shouldn't be affected and I'll agree that it should be at 7 days during December.

It would probably take a constitutional amendment to get rid of the DB plan, though, seeing as of how all of the necessary union-busting techniques are unconstitutional for a government to do.

Not quite... actually that's what the last "near strike" was all about. Getting rid of DB for new hires.

CP should have waited CUPW out and got that... however CP was bleeding customers (Amazon decided CP was not reliable and is now experimenting with self-delivery) and simply gave in to a 2 year contract.

This whole issue will come to a head again in 18 months. There are no winners as long as (pseudo) PS Unions are able to take monopolies to their knees.

[HighwayStar]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Climate change is the #1 greatest threat to our future and tackling it needs to be the #1 priority of all governments. As for the form of the action, we can definitely do better than our cap and trade program, I'll agree to that.

Unless Governments can show a molecule of maturity by not simply treating the subject as a tax-grab... there is serious scope for debate on it being the "#1 issue".

And to keep on topic.. yeah CMBs!! Go CP go

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

I do this too, mostly because private couriers suck. The pickup points are always really far away with terrible hours. Whereas with Canada Post the pickup is at the end of my street.

As bad as the pickup points are for private couriers in general, the pickup points for most of them in Ottawa are singularly terrible. And the customer service is disgraceful.

I have had to turn down transactions in which someone insisted the only way the could get something to me was by FedEx or UPS, and have shocked other companies by insisting on just mailing me the thing instead of private-couriering it.