By SooToday.com Staff
SooToday.com
Friday, December 11, 2009

NEWS RELEASE

CHRISTIAN PROVENZANO

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Provenzano: “Liberals aim to restore mail services to rural Canadians”

SAULT STE. MARIE - Rural postal service across Canada was given a lifeline this week by the Liberal Party of Canada.

“Regardless of where Canadians live, they have a right to high-quality, reliable mail service within their communities,” said Christian Provenzano, federal Liberal candidate for Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma. “By calling for the creation of a charter that guarantees the protection of mail service, we want the government to take steps to ensure rural Canadians have access to the postal services that will serve and strengthen their communities.”

Since 2006, the Conservative government has presided over the closure of 42 rural post offices, and the cancellation of 55,000 rural roadside mailboxes from service.

These cuts are hurting rural residents, particularly seniors and those with disabilities, some of whom must travel many kilometers just to collect their mail.

More closures are likely unless a formal commitment is made to protect rural postal services.

“The Liberal party is committed to the creation of a Rural Canadian Postal Service Charter that will protect universal service and restore and maintain rural mail service,” said Provenzano. “This charter would also ensure that Canada Post would need to consult with local residents before making similar service cuts in the future. This is about making sure Canadians have full access to high-quality mail services - no matter where they live.”

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