Government Operations and Estimates

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met to study the future of Canada Post, hearing from four witnesses: Normand St-Amour, Mayor of Chute-Saint-Philippe; Michael Aubie of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM); Mariève Piché of the Centre d'action bénévole Léonie-Bélanger; and Karine Monger of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent.

Mayor St-Amour described how his rural municipality of 1,100 residents paid $30 per voter to a private courier for election mail during a Canada Post strike, a cost that falls on local taxpayers. He stressed that federal and provincial laws still require municipalities to send official notices by mail, and that digital alternatives are not viable due to poor cellular coverage and low digital literacy among residents. He asked that laws be amended to allow electronic communication and that postal outlets be maintained in local stores to support regional vitality.

Michael Aubie said FCM opposes any changes to Canada Post’s mandate without thorough public review and meaningful municipal engagement, especially for rural communities that rely on over 3,000 rural post offices as a lifeline. He recommended exploring a community hub model to co-locate government and business services at post offices, and leveraging Canada Post’s underutilized properties for affordable housing, including modular housing, to generate revenue and address housing needs. He noted that 44% of rural and remote businesses would be seriously impacted by losing Canada Post services.

Mariève Piché reported that 90% of the seniors her organization serves do not use digital tools, and that mail remains essential for billing, communications, and maintaining social connection. She said strikes caused financial losses and increased anxiety among seniors, and that a digital shift cannot be assumed for everyone, especially given fears of online fraud. She asked the committee to remember that mail is an essential service for millions of seniors in rural areas.

Karine Monger explained that her RCM, located 1,500 kilometres east of Ottawa and largely not connected by road, relies exclusively on Canada Post for all mail and parcel delivery, including medications and eyeglasses. She said strikes paralyze the region entirely, as no private alternatives exist, and that mail is already delivered only three days a week by air. She asked the committee to consider the unique isolation of her region and to ensure minimum services are maintained during any disruption.

During questioning, witnesses noted that they were unaware of a Canada Post program to assist people with functional limitations, and that they do not feel heard in the reform process. The committee also discussed the potential job losses from service cuts and the lack of viable private alternatives in remote areas. The chair announced that hearings on Canada Post will resume after labour issues are settled and the president’s 45-day report is delivered.