Chair’s message
Canada Post is a vital national institution, important to all Canadians in all communities – urban, rural and remote – from coast to coast to coast.
Throughout its long history, the postal service has constantly evolved to meet the changing needs of Canadians and to continue to serve every Canadian address. It’s an enormous responsibility fulfilled by a dedicated team of employees across the country.
Confidence in Canada Post’s ability to lead change
The Board of Directors and senior management understand the important roles they have as stewards of the national postal system. We recognize that Canada Post is at a critical juncture in its history and that its financial situation must improve. Now, more than ever, significant change is necessary to protect and preserve this important publicly owned national infrastructure for all Canadians.
The Board is fully aligned with management on their comprehensive transformation plan, A Stronger Canada – Delivered, that was initiated in 2019. With this plan as the foundation, the company has made such important progress in the last few years.
Improving service and demonstrating leadership
Even before the pandemic sparked an ecommerce boom, Canada Post was positioning itself for growth in the parcel delivery market. The organization has been expanding processing capacity across the country and working to improve service to all Canadians. The new Albert Jackson Processing Centre in northeast Toronto is the company’s largest, fastest and greenest parcel sorting facility, and a critical hub for its entire national network. In 2023, the new facility helped Canada Post record some of the best on-time service results in the company’s history.
Management’s commitment to social and environmental leadership has seen the postal service make significant progress in these areas. For example, the company’s science-based climate targets, and move to electrify its last-mile fleet, have put it on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050. The organization’s launch of carbon-neutral shipping in 2023 is another example of how it’s innovating, improving service and leading on issues that matter to Canadians. In recognition of its efforts on sustainability, Canada Post was once again named one of Canada’s Best 50 Corporate Citizens by Corporate Knights.
Navigating the challenging road ahead
The Board has an important responsibility to ensure that Canada Post reflects the broad priorities of Canadians and its shareholder, the Government of Canada. In this oversight role, the Board remains focused on Canada Post’s dual responsibility to serve every Canadian address and to be financially self-sufficient. We understand that Canada Post’s financial situation is unsustainable. Changes and new operating parameters are needed to address the mounting financial pressures amid intensifying competition in the parcel delivery market. The Board and senior management are committed to leading that change and ensuring the postal service is financially self-sustainable.
Work has already begun by improving the company’s competitiveness in the parcel delivery market, carefully managing spending, and focusing the organization on serving the changing needs of Canadians.
Proud to serve our country
In closing, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve on the Board of Directors since 2018, with the last four years as Chair. I am especially proud of the strong alignment we’ve established between the Board and senior management as we tackled challenges and transformed the company. This will serve the company well on the road ahead. Above all, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the important role Canada Post plays in the lives of so many Canadians, and the incredible people that make it happen every day. This is an important national institution, and I thank the Government of Canada for the opportunity to serve these last six years.
Suromitra Sanatani, LL.B., ICD.D
Chair of the Board of Directors