Privatizing Mail Delivery Solves Nothing for People with Disabilities

Media Release

7 October 2014        

For Immediate Release

The Government of Canada has charged Canada Post with the responsibility of delivering mail to Canadians, including people with disabilities.  In VIA Rail v. Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) spoke out against the creation of new barriers that prevent people with disabilities using services available to the public.  In light of the SCC's stand against new barriers, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) is monitoring how Canada Post rolls out its new service model to ascertain whether or not it is meeting the standard of access set by Canada's highest court.  In addition, CCD has also been sharing ideas with Canada Post on how to make its service accessible and inclusive.  For example, CCD has proposed that Canada Post continue door-to-door delivery but to reduce the service from daily to every other day.

The emergence of concierge services in mail delivery industry, such a You Have Mail, which for a fee picks-up and delivers a householders mail from Canada Post, does not lessen Canada Post's responsibility to ensure that its services are barrier-free and usable by Canadians with disabilities.

“Canadians should not have to pay for mail delivery,” said Tony Dolan Chair of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.  “ Privatization is not the answer to Canada Post’s decision to end home delivery, and it is certainly not the answer for people with disabilities who disproportionately live in poverty,” said Dolan.  

“Canada Post has an obligation to get mail to citizens and that they must find ways of ensuring accessible mail delivery” said Carlos Sosa a member of CCD Board of Directors.  “Canada Post’s ending of door to door service will create new barriers and hardship for many people with disabilities,” said Sosa.

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For More Information

Contact:  Laurie Beachell, CCD National Coordinator, Tel:  204 947-0303