This is a very straightforward and simple bill.  It is a single clause.  The intent of this bill is to seek an amendment to the Canada Post Corporation Act to remove letters intended for delivery to addressees outside Canada from Canada Post’s exclusive privilege. 

The Bill is so simple that is was reintroduced in this parliament in the same form as the last parliament – It has not changed and continues to be important to ensure that Canadian jobs are protected, and that an industry – that is currently operating in Canada – is allowed to continue.

The proposed change to Canada Post’s exclusive privilege deals specifically with outbound international mail. 

The exclusive privilege has been carefully guarded.  Only minor changes have been made to it.  But the world has changed dramatically. 

New forms of communication including the telephone, fax machines and now the Internet have provided alternatives to consumers to communicate.  Globalization has also affected who we communicate with, where they are and how we choose to communicate with them. 

Remailers saw an opportunity in this global communications market.  Over the years, they have grown an industry representing thousands of jobs. 

The Canadian International Mail Association estimates that the industry is worth $60-80 million in revenues annually to Canada’s economy.  This estimate does not take into consideration additional economic activity generated by remailers.