Liberals Trying to Destroy Canada Post

 

From one of Accidental Deliberations' helpful news round-up pages, this from André Frappier at Canadian Dimension about the federal Liberals' true intentions for Canada Post:

With the support of the CDPQ—known for its disregard for workers—Joly began a major expansion of the company’s operations. Since his purchase of Intelcom, the company has built sorting centres in Montréal and Toronto, representing investments of $31 million. During this period, the number of employees grew from 300 to 2,500, plus another 3,000 “independent” contractors—a euphemism for precarious gig workers.

These drivers are typically paid between $1.60 and $3 per package delivered, amounts that fall below minimum wage once fuel and maintenance costs are deducted. Intelcom provides no vehicle insurance or health coverage, leaving workers to shoulder all the risks of injury, wear, and burnout. Intelcom’s subsidiary, Dragonfly Shipping, has faced legal action over unsafe working conditions. In 2024, more than 100 non-unionized delivery drivers in British Columbia walked off the job to protest unsustainable hours.

During the December 2024 strike, Canada Post hired strikebreakers and used subcontractors to deliver packages that would otherwise have been handled by striking workers. At the time, Intelcom operated more than 60 delivery stations across Canada and handled roughly 500,000 parcels per day, underscoring the company’s central role in Canada’s privatized last-mile logistics sector.

Until 2022, Mélanie Joly was not subject to any conflict-of-interest measures that would have prevented her from giving preferential treatment to her brother’s company. Three years ago, however, a so-called conflict-of-interest “filter,” overseen by Joly’s deputy minister and chief of staff, was implemented to ensure the minister would not favour her brother’s company.

But this safeguard was merely cosmetic. By taking measures to dismantle the public postal system, Joly and the Carney government are directly supporting private companies like Intelcom at the expense of Canada Post.

The Liberal government’s relentless effort to diminish Canada Post has nothing to do with profitability. Their campaign has two objectives: first, to transfer parcel delivery services to private companies generating huge profits, and second, to weaken workers’ rights and solidarity. Achieving these goals means greater profits for corporate executives and lower wages and poorer working conditions for employees. Above all, it undermines workers’ capacity to resist.

Neoliberals know only how to destroy.  The entire political project of the oligarch duopoly is to cannibalize what was built (under duress) in the 1940's-1960's so that the rich can grow richer in a dying economy.  Politicians use their access to the levers of power to enrich themselves while serving their overlords.