If Canada Post measured its success by its ability to serve the public instead of maximizing profit, postal workers would get gold stars.

Canada Post is crowing about the $253 million it made in 2003, as announced in its recent annual report. You could say that Canada Post's profitability makes it a public sector success story. But success is not measured by money making in the public sector. As a Crown Corporation, Canada Post's success can and should be measured by its ability to serve the public interest. Fortunately, with its ninth profitable year in a row, the post office is managing to succeed no matter how you look at it.

Even in international circles our post office is receiving top marks in value for service. Our standard postage rate is the lowest of the G7 countries, while service has consistently improved. And thanks to the hard work of 54,000 postal workers, Canada Post has earned a reputation as one of the most efficient postal services in the world.

With such a strong showing, it's surprising that Treasury Board President Reg Alcock indicated to media he's prepared to consider privatizing Crown corporations like Canada Post.

Frankly, there is no good reason to mess with quality postal service at affordable rates. In fact, with its vast and stable infrastructure, sound business sense should lead the government to consider options for growth. Viable models already exist.

In 2002, New Zealand set up Kiwibank by using the national post office as the backbone of the bank. Postal outlets allowed the government to open about 300 branches in a brief three-month period. Low startup costs translated into lower banking fees and greater face-to-face service. Today, Kiwibank is known as the people's bank and it meets the needs of the public while keeping profits within the country. It also opened the door to revitalizing public services, after a widely acknowledged misadventure with a deregulated and highly privatized public sector.

Canada Post could easily open its own bank. It could also invest in providing government services, expanding door-to-door delivery and keeping rural post offices open. The bottom line is the public would be better served by investing Canada Post's profits in these services, not by privatizing. What on earth is Reg Alcock thinking?
This opinion piece was submitted by Deborah Bourque, National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. CUPW represents 54,000 members in rural and urban communities including full-time, part-time, and temporary workers.

For more information please contact: Jiselle Griffith, CUPW Communications
Office: (613) 236-7230 ext 7914, cell: (613) 222-3952 KS/bt opeiu 225