July 30, 2003
(Letter sent to Kelowna Daily Courier)
Dear Editor:
I would like to respond to the very misinformed July 26th letter from R. H. Hamilton, "Canadians licked again by Canada Post Corp."
The first thing Mr. Hamilton should know is that Canada Post has not received taxpayer's dollars since 1989. We generate our own revenue and operate in a highly competitive marketplace.
The Business Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona that Mr. Hamilton questioned was part of the Canada Post Commercial Sales Recognition Program that recognizes and rewards excellence and leadership in sales performance. Membership to Club Excellence is awarded to a select group of the Corporation's highest national sales achievers and is based on revenue achievement and performance. Our Commercial Sales Recognition Program is a common industry practice designed to retain and attract top sales people across the country. These top achievers generate millions of dollars in revenue annually for Canada Post.
The comment that the president and CEO of Canada Post makes between $347,000 and $408,000 a year is wrong. While the Privacy Act prohibits the release of the exact salary and benefits of any individual, I can tell you that Mr. Ouellet's salary range stands between $256,600 and $301,900 per year. The salaries of the heads of Crown corporations are determined by a private-sector advisory group and are subject to approval by the Governor-in-Council.
It should be noted that Mr. Ouellet accepted the position of President and CEO of Canada Post at a salary below that of his predecessor and well below what was recommended by the Advisory Committee.
Mr. Ouellet was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Canada Post in 1996 and became President and CEO three years later. Canada Post has turned a profit every year since then and has grown to a $6 billion a year company.
As for the "nice pension upon retiring from politics", Mr. Ouellet is not receiving the pension he is entitled to after 30 years as a Member of Parliament while he is president and CEO of Canada Post.
Mr. Hamilton might be well served to check his facts before writing letters to the newspaper.
Sincerely,
John Caines
Manager, National Media Relations
(613) 734-7675
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