Richard Froese
South Peace News

Big Lakes County has shown its support to maintain Canada Post services in rural areas.

At its regular meeting Sept. 28, county council approved a request from Ellen Bowles, vice-president of Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 744 in Grande Prairie to write a letter of support to federal Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk, to support expansion of services and to preserve Canada’s retail and logistics network.

“The post office is vital to a small community,” says South Sunset House – Gilwood Councillor Ann Stewart.

It was the only comment during discussion in response to the request.

“CUPW is asking for a letter of support as they believe all Canadians should have five-day delivery, door-to-door for parcel delivery [whenever possible], access to postal outlets within their community and no additional services charges as a result of being a rural resident,” interim CAO Garry Peterson states in a report to council.

“The federal government’s task force is currently looking into alternate day delivery, postal outlet closures, as well as additional mailing cost for rural resident and door-to-door delivery.”

CUPW strongly believes cuts would severely hurt rural residents of all kinds.

“These cuts hurt seniors, low-income people, and people with disabilities, and take living-wage jobs away from communities across the country,” Bowles states in a letter to council.”
“Despite making nearly $600 million in profit over the last five years, the management of Canada Post continues to threaten Canadians with cuts to our services, including the closure of almost 500 post offices.”
“The new federal government is conducting a public review of Canada Post and all Canadians need to tell them what we want from our postal service.”

The union local is seeking support from various municipalities in the northern part of Alberta.

High Prairie town council also heard from a delegation at its Sept. 27 meeting and is also offering to lend its support.