Mr. Speaker, I rise today to request an emergency debate on the government's proposal to dismantle Canada Post services and the growing national response to these deeply concerning changes.
Canada Post is older than Canada itself. It connects communities across this vast country and serves as a vital lifeline for hundreds of northern, indigenous and rural communities. At a time when our economy and sovereignty face mounting threats from Donald Trump, national institutions, such as Canada Post, are essential to our unity and our resilience.
Without a doubt, Canada Post is facing serious challenges. These challenges require thoughtful, transparent and inclusive solutions. Postal workers and their union have repeatedly put forward constructive proposals to modernize and strengthen the service, yet their voices have been ignored. In 2015, the Liberal Party promised to reverse Stephen Harper's plan to end door-to-door delivery. It called its approach “real change”.
In 2018, then minister Carla Qualtrough led a two-phase, evidence-based review of Canada Post and unveiled what she called a “renewed vision” for the corporation, one that pledged to put service to Canadians at the heart of its mandate.
However, that vision was never implemented, and that promise has since been abandoned. Without any mention during the last election campaign, and without any debate in the House, the government recently announced drastic cuts to Canada Post services, including ending daily home mail delivery, closing rural post offices and eliminating door-to-door delivery for millions of Canadians.
These changes would mean fewer services for Canadians and significant job losses at a time when unemployment remains high. They would also very much hurt businesses in this country, including small businesses. They would disproportionately harm seniors, persons with disabilities and residents of rural and remote communities, those who rely most on accessible, dependable postal services and who are least able to absorb the impact of these cuts.
What is more, the government made this announcement in the midst of collective bargaining negotiations between Canada Post and its workers. Dropping such a sweeping restructuring plan into the middle of that process is like dropping a bomb. It constitutes direct interference and shows a fundamental lack of respect for collective bargaining and workers' rights.
Tens of thousands of postal workers are now on picket lines across the country. Mail and parcels are not being processed or delivered, and post offices are closing. Today, on Parliament Hill, workers and allies rallied to defend good jobs and a strong, public postal service, reinvigorated with revenue streams for the future. They rally to send a clear message: Postal workers deserve better and Canadians deserve better.
The House must not remain silent. We must have a rigorous, honest and urgent discussion about the future of Canada Post and about how to protect and strengthen it, for the benefit of all Canadians.
That is why I am calling on the Speaker to grant an emergency debate on this critical issue for this most cherished institution.