Canadians prepared to accept reductions in postal delivery frequencies

A study prepared as part of the ongoing review into Canada Post’s operations has found that Canadians are willing to accept a reduction in the frequency of postal deliveries and many also support a move to community mail boxes in urban areas. As previously reported, the Canadian Government has initiated the review to help Canada Post reposition its operations and services in the new “digital age”.

The new study was prepared for the Public Works and Government Services Canada by Patterson, Langlois Consultants in order to gauge the Canadian public’s views.

The report’s executive summary noted: “Our study shows that Canadians are clearly prepared to accept reductions in the frequency of delivery, with some 73% endorsing a change to alternate day delivery, support for which increases among those with higher income and education levels, but does not vary by service delivery or rural/urban divides.

“Additionally, some 67% support a move to community mail boxes for everyone in urban and suburban areas, with higher support among rural dwellers (74%), 18-34-year-old Canadians (76%), and those Canadians with Internet access (68%). We also see predictably lower but still strong support among those who currently get door-to-door service (50%) for this measure. This support also logically extends to reductions in the speed of delivery (65% overall).

“Provisos to this prescription come in the form of strong opposition to cuts in pay (66% oppose), level of employment (60% oppose) and increases in the price of stamps (65% oppose).”

As previously reported, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has been vehemently opposed to Canada Post’s plans to switch from door-to-door to community mail boxes.

Click here to access a copy of the report.