October 22, 2004

(Letter sent to the Vancouver Province)

Dear Editor:

Your October 22nd column, "There's good reason why postal service called snail mail", that points thumbs down to Canada Post for the backlog of 150,000 parcels at the Vancouver Mail Processing facility is misdirected.

The backlog of mail is awaiting clearance by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). Canada Post receives dispatches from foreign posts daily and relies on the Canadian Border Services Agency to review incoming mail for admissibility to Canada as well as the assessment of any duties and taxes. Canada Post cannot deliver the incoming mail until it is cleared by Customs.

The CBSA has committed to reducing the backlog in Vancouver within one month and once they declare the mail admissible to Canada, then Canada Post will deliver it immediately.

Instead of giving a thumbs down where it is not warranted, you might consider researching the issue and point the finger in the right direction.

Sincerely,

John Caines
Manager, National Media Relations
Ottawa (613) 734-7675