Raitt defends Canada Post’s decision to phase out urban mail delivery

OTTAWA – Transport Minister Lisa Raitt is defending Canada Post’s decision to phase out urban mail delivery over the next five years while hiking the price of stamps.

Raitt, the minister responsible for the Crown corporation, says Canadians are sending less mail than ever, leaving Canada Post with some tough financial decisions in order to combat a steep decline in revenues.

She says a typical Canadian household buys only one to two dozen stamps a year, and mail volumes continue to plummet, having fallen nearly 25 per cent per household since 2008.

Raitt says the Conservative government supports Canada Post’s efforts to become self-sustaining “in order to protect taxpayers.”

She adds she is looking forward to “seeing progress” as Canada Post rolls out its cost-cutting plans.