May 9, 2006

BY FAX AND MAIL
(992-6802)

Mr. Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Cannon:

I am writing to you concerning the proposed closure of the mail processing plant in Quebec City.

Last week in the House of Commons, you stated that an announcement on the position of the government on the proposed closure was “imminent”.

Since that time, news reports from Quebec City have indicated that two Conservative MPs believe that CPC officials may have committed criminal offences with respect to the alteration of documents used by the Corporation to justify the closure of the Quebec City plant and they have provided documentation to the police on this matter.

As you know, the CUPW has been campaigning for Canada Post Corporation to release its long-term plans and any changes it is considering with respect to postal services, postal facilities and jobs.

We believe that, given the latest revelation from Quebec City and the need for public disclosure and debate, the best course of action would be for the federal government to place a moratorium of all closures of postal facilities until the union and public have an opportunity to review the information provided by the Corporation.

As you know, our position on this matter is in accordance with the position articulated by the Conservative Party during the last election campaign. In September of 2005, Josée Verner, then Chair of the Quebec Caucus for the Conservative Party of Canada, asked Canada Post to reconsider its decision to close the Quebec City plant. In November of 2005, Brian Pallister, then post office critic for the Conservative Party, said “a Conservative Party government would review Canada Post’s decision to close the Quebec City sorting centre”. He said: “It is unthinkable to us that the Montreal centre alone can provide consistent service quality across the province. The people of Eastern Quebec deserve quality postal service, equivalent to that provided in the rest of the province.” Pallister also said: “The Conservative Party therefore opposes this decision” and that the party intended to “carry on the work in order to meet the needs of Quebecers and deliver quality public service”.

I would also like to take this opportunity to follow up on my previous letters of February 9 and March 22, 2006. I realize that you have a very busy schedule. However, I wish again to request a meeting with you.

Sincerely,

Deborah Bourque,
National President

c.c.: National Executive Board