Canada Post has submitted a significant restructuring plan to the federal government, which could lead to substantial service and job cuts. The proposal, which includes the elimination of home mail delivery and increased reliance on community mailboxes, was delivered to Infrastructure Minister Joël Lightbound. The plan also suggests closing some rural post offices.

Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger stated that the plan aims to modernize the postal service to better meet the needs of today’s economy. "The comprehensive plan we have submitted responds to our challenges and modernizes the postal service to support today’s economy while serving all Canadians," he said in a written statement.

Lightbound had previously instructed Canada Post to develop a plan within 45 days to address its financial struggles. A spokesperson confirmed that the minister has received the proposal and is currently reviewing it.

"We have received Canada Post’s implementation plan and are reviewing it closely," said Laurent De Casanove, a spokesperson for Lightbound. However, Canada Post indicated that it would not disclose the details of the plan until it receives final approval from the government.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), representing 53,000 postal workers, expressed concern over the lack of transparency regarding the plan. The union stated that it has not been informed about the specifics and warned that the proposed cuts could negatively impact communities, particularly in rural, remote, and Indigenous areas.

"These cuts to good jobs and postal services, including the end of to-the-door delivery, will harm communities and businesses in rural, remote and Indigenous areas as well as seniors and persons with disabilities," the union said in a press release.

CUPW has called for a full public review of the plan before any changes are implemented. "It’s appalling that these cuts could go forward without input from Canada Post’s stakeholders: Canadians. There must be a full, transparent public mandate review, which includes all voices," the union added.

As Canada Post navigates this restructuring, it is also engaged in collective bargaining with its largest union, which is currently on a rotating strike as the busy holiday season approaches. The outcome of the restructuring plan and its implications for postal services across Canada remain to be seen.