The Big Story What does the future hold for Canada Post?
Sep 2, 2025
Ian Lee, an associate professor at the Sprott School of Business, sheds light on the dire state of Canada Post. He discusses the sharp decline in letter usage and how private couriers are gaining ground. Lee delves into the contentious union negotiations and the significant gulf between worker demands and management's responses. He also emphasizes the critical role of mail delivery in rural areas, amidst the challenge of shifting to community mailboxes. Finally, he warns of the potential fallout if reforms aren't adopted soon.
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Negotiations Mask A Deeper Failure
- Canada Post's negotiations have fundamentally failed because the two sides disagree on the basic facts and scale of change needed.
- Ian Lee argues the corporation is insolvent and needs radical restructuring, not small tweaks.
Squeezed Between Letters And Parcels
- Letter volumes have collapsed while Canada Post is losing parcel market share to private couriers.
- That leaves Canada Post squeezed out of both its legacy monopoly and the growing e-commerce market.
Not Pushing Privatization
- Ian Lee clarifies he does not want privatization and never advocated selling Canada Post.
- He uses a personal example about younger people not writing letters to explain demand collapse.