The federal government took the unusual step of issuing a directive to Canada Post on rural mail delivery on December 13, 2006.

The directive says the government 'wishes to ensure that its policy objective of restoring and maintaining traditional mail delivery is met'. 

It instructs 'Canada Post Corporation to deliver mail at rural roadside mail boxes that were serviced by the Corporation on September 1, 2005, while respecting all applicable laws...'. (emphasis added)

As well, it instructs the corporation to implement an operational plan to restore delivery 'within 18 months' that deals 'at reasonable costs, with all relevant issues, including the means of consultation with customers and stakeholders...'.

The government does not issue directives to Canada Post very often. Crown corporations like Canada Post normally operate at arms length from the government. The government minister responsible for a Crown corporation provides broad policy direction, but does not usually become involved in day-to-day operations.  However, the Financial Administration Act gives the government the power to 'give a directive to any parent Crown corporation, if the Governor in Council is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so'.

It appears that the governing Conservatives Party believes that a directive is necessary to ensure that Canada Post maintains and restores rural mail delivery.

It is important to note that the government had been asked to direct the corporation to maintain rural delivery and protect public safety by a private member's motion put forth by Liberal member of Parliament Lui Temelkovski.  This motion was passed unanimously by Parliament on October 25, 2006.

Health and Safety protection

The directive instructs Canada Post to restore rural mail delivery while respecting all applicable laws. CUPW is happy to see that Canada Post will be required to respect laws like the Canada Labour Code.

Some Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMCs) have not been able to safely deliver mail to rural boxes and have exercised their right to refuse unsafe work under the provisions of the Code.

CUPW's understanding of the government's directive is that the corporation must address both delivery and safety concerns.

Eighteen months to deliver

The directive gives Canada Post eighteen months to restore rural delivery. It also requires the corporation to maintain delivery.

If the corporation is serious about maintaining delivery, it will need to conduct a national review of the 843,000 rural mailboxes that Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers service to ensure that all boxes can be delivered to safely.  It will also need to work with local residents and CUPW representatives who have first-hand knowledge of the safety and delivery problems within a community.

The union is committed to doing what it takes to conduct a national review and we believe that this work needs to begin immediately.

CUPW has been attempting to negotiate a memorandum of agreement with the employer on a national review of rural mail boxes that involves residents and local CUPW representatives since July 5, 2006.

We are hoping that the government's directive will help us come to an agreement with Canada Post on outstanding issues so that we can get on with the job of restoring and maintaining rural mail delivery while keeping those who deliver the mail safe.