Thank you again to everyone who continues to support this effort. As promised, here is the full public update based on the new correspondence we received from Canada Post.

After more than 1650 signatures, multiple media reports, meetings with our Member of Parliament and direct letters to the Minister responsible, the PM’s Office and the Board of Directors, we finally received a revealing written communication from a senior Canada Post executive. What that letter revealed is extraordinarily serious.

In attempting to justify why Canada Post released only a single sentence in response to our Access to Information request, the executive confirmed something that should alarm every Canadian.

Canada Post has now admitted that:

·      No written analysis was done before deciding to close the Vic West outlet

·      No market review was conducted

·      No community impact assessment exists

·      No evaluation of alternatives done

·      No documented due diligence of any kind was performed

There is no report, no study, no review, and no justification on record.

Instead, Canada Post confirmed that the closure decision was made verbally during an internal virtual meeting, supported only by a spreadsheet and online tools used to review “a large number of dealerships.”

Canada Post refused to disclose even the single row of that spreadsheet related to Vic West, claiming “commercial sensitivity,” despite admitting that the only data in that row includes revenue and box counts that we already know as the contract holder.

A Crown corporation reporting massive national losses closed a cost neutral, revenue generating outlet in a rapidly growing community with no documentation, no due diligence and no analysis.

Why this matters
 

This goes to the heart of public accountability and decisions that affect thousands of Canadians.

For four months, Canada Post told us that:

•       the decision reflected “market needs,”

•       the outlet was “no longer required,”

•       and the process was based on “appropriate service levels” and “network   management.”

These statements cannot be reconciled with the admission that no supporting analysis exists.

A public institution cannot eliminate revenue generating services while producing zero evidence to justify the decision. The decision making process revealed here affects not just Vic West, but every community facing service cuts.

Key excerpts from Canada Post’s letter

Here are the most important lines, in Canada Post’s own words:

•       “No other reports or analysis about your dealership were prepared.”

•       “The decision was made during a yearly virtual management meeting.”

•       “Team members used a spreadsheet and online tools to review raw data.”

•       “The information that was excluded in the row for your dealership dealt with the number of convenience boxes, total RPS boxes and twelve month rolling revenue.”

•       “As you are the contract holder, you are aware of your revenue and number of boxes.”

These excerpts confirm exactly why no justification was ever provided: none exists.

Now part of a federal investigation
 

The Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada has already opened a formal investigation into Canada Post for:

•       improperly withholding records, and

•       failing to search for documents that should exist.

These new admissions will now form part of that investigation.

Where this goes next
 

This new information has already been forwarded to:

•       Minister Joël Lightbound

•       The Prime Minister’s Office

•       The Leader of the Official Opposition

•       Opposition critics

•       The Board of Directors of Canada Post

•       Our Member of Parliament

•       Other relevant federal officials

All of them now have clear evidence that the closure lacked even the most basic due diligence.

What matters now
 

Our community was right to demand transparency.

Canada Post’s own statements now confirm that our concerns were justified.

Public engagement has helped expose the inconsistencies in Canada Post’s explanations. Continued attention will be essential as federal officials and the Information Commissioner move forward.

This fight is not over.

We will continue pushing for transparency, accountability and proper oversight on behalf of Vic West.

Thank you again for standing with us.

Please continue to share and sign this petition.