Mathyssen introduces private member’s motion on postal banking

OTTAWA – Today, NDP Canada Post Critic, Irene Mathyssen, put forward motion M-166, calling on the Liberals to strike a special committee with the purpose of examining and recommending a plan for a federal postal banking system administered under the Canada Post Corporation.

“M-166 will allow us once and for all to move forward with a plan that serves Canadians. Postal banking is sustainable, profitable and equitable, and will provide service where the big banks have abandoned people,” said Mathyssen. “I welcome the opportunity to bring this motion forward and urge every Member of Parliament to support it.”

There is wide support for postal banking in Canada, including over 600 municipalities across the country. Current and previous governments have dismissed the viability of the system by using inaccurate and biased evidence. Mathyssen hopes that a special committee will be able to provide objective and indisputable evidence that will allow Canada Post to move forward with a sustainable plan.

Mike Palacek, National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) supported Mathyssen’s initiative:

“A postal bank has been tested and used very successfully in over 60 countries around the world. It would better serve Canadians as big banks are abandoning so many communities across the country and would generate new revenues for Canada Post. It’s a no brainer; it’s time for our legislators to propose a plan to implement it.”