For the unions, the logic is familiar: weaken the service then offer it to the private sector. “Public services are cut until they lose their relevance. After that, the public is told, ‘You see, you’re paying too much for this. We’re going to cut these services,’” insists Bélisle. For his part, Brodeur reiterates the usefulness of the public postal network: “People realize this. It costs $70 to send a letter to Hamilton through private companies.”
They accuse Ottawa of not investing and of preparing to transfer services to private companies. They also mention the rise of Intelcom in the parcel business and point out that it belongs to the brother of Mélanie Joly, a minister in the Carney government.
“It’s media spin to make the public believe that Canada Post is a sick animal that needs to be put out of its misery,” says Brodeur.
Some services of a modern society should not be expected to be profitable. One of the primary points of government is to help support things which are not necessarily money makers. It’s what taxes are for.
Most folks don’t realize the pain they’re in for when all their communication is funnelled through a corporate profit machine - and one where they’re likely the thing being sold.
