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Canadian Printing Industries Association calls for contingency plans from Canada Post

The Canadian Printing Industries Association (CPIA), in collaboration with regional associations and member businesses, stressed the need for a clear and forward-looking strategy from Canada Post through a letter to Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement.

“Our industry experienced a paralyzing four-week strike this past year, resulting in significant financial losses and jeopardizing relationships with clients who depend on timely and reliable delivery of printed materials. The impact of the strike to Canadian small businesses reached $1.6 billion in lost revenue and there are growing concerns that many small businesses will reduce the use Canada Post’s services in the future which will adversely impact our industry. While we recognize the complexities of labour negotiations, the lack of contingency planning and communication during the disruption had a cascading impact on our members and associated businesses,” said the letter.

The letter went on to stress the importance of Canada Post’s services.

“The printing industry plays an integral role in supporting Canada Post’s services, with printed essential mail, direct mail, advertising, publications and critical documents forming a core part of the volume handled by the postal system. The printing and mailing industry in Canada along with its associated industries represents an estimated $50 billion per year to the Canadian economy and play’s a critical role in Canadian commerce,” it added.

The letter asked Canada Post to address the following points:

1. Contingency plans: What measures will Canada Post implement to minimize the impact of potential future labour disruptions on businesses that depend on its services? Will alternative delivery options, priority services, or partnerships with third-party carriers be explored to ensure mail continuity?

2. Strategic vision: How does Canada Post plan to adapt its services to meet the evolving needs of Canadian businesses in an increasingly competitive delivery landscape? What steps are being taken to modernize infrastructure, enhance reliability, and address challenges in service delivery?

3. Communication and engagement: Can Canada Post commit to regular, proactive communication with industry stakeholders, including the printing sector, during periods of potential service disruption? How can we establish better collaboration to anticipate and mitigate impacts on our shared clients?

4. Business compensation and recovery: Will Canada Post explore mechanisms to support businesses that experience financial losses due to prolonged service disruptions, such as credits, discounts, or other forms of compensation? The Canadian printing industry relies on Canada Post not only for its critical delivery role, but also as a partner in serving the needs of Canadian businesses and communities.