Letter to Stephen Harper - March 24, 2006

March 24, 2006

PRIORITY COURIER

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Harper:

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) was very pleased to hear you say that ministers and members of Parliament in the Quebec region are in the process of reviewing ways to improve the situation with regard to Canada Post's plans to close the mail processing plant in Quebec City (see attached transcript). Does this mean you are currently engaged in reviewing the decision to close the plant as promised late last year by Josée Verner and Brian Pallister?

If so, it is extremely important that CUPW, as the representative of workers at the Quebec City plant, be part of this review. Likewise, it is important that other groups, such as the city council, major mail users and the public, be part of any review. I am hoping that you will be able to reassure us that the review your party has promised will not be undertaken without this kind of input.

I would also like to use this opportunity to point out that we have not been able to schedule a meeting with Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister, La Francophonie and Official Languages or Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (see attached letters). We understand that both Ms. Verner and Mr. Cannon are very busy. Unfortunately, the Quebec City plant is in the midst of being closed and it is, therefore, essential that we meet to discuss your party's promise to review the plant closing before it is too late.

Yours truly,

Deborah Bourque
National President

Attach (2)

c.c.: National Executive Board
Regional Education and Organization Officers
National Union Representatives
CUPW Specialists
Presidents, CUPW Locals
All Members of Parliament
Gilles Duceppe, Leader, Bloc Quebecois
Jack Layton, Leader, New Democratic Party
Bill Graham, Interim Leader, Liberal Party
Lawrence Canon, Minister, Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Josée Verner, Minister, International Cooperation & Minister, La Francophonie and Official Languages
Leslie Schous, President, Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association
Richard Des Lauriers, President, Union of Postal Communications Employees, Public Service Alliance of Canada