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| Paul Cavalluzzo |
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers will challenge the federal government in court over its decision to end home mail delivery. The union will call the cancellation a violation of human rights. It is not too much to say the challenge will grip the nation. People want their mail at the door. Among many things the challenge will put CUPW squarely on the side of the people for the first time in 50 years. The union was widely disliked for decades of radical leadership and frequent strikes. Before the Internet emerged in the 1990s and put pressure on jobs, the union seemed largely indifferent to whether the mail was delivered or not. What a difference a digital revolution has brought. The CUPW challenge will be led by Toronto lawyer Paul Cavalluzzo. He is expected to file the application with the federal court next week asking the court to stop Canada Post’s termination of home delivery. Mr. Cavelluzo said he will also consider an injunction to pause the transition from home delivery to community mailboxes until the court reviews the Canada Post decision. The application will argue that elimination of home delivery contravenes the section of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that gives people the right to equality without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. It seems a trendy type of objection. Much more rooted in law perhaps is the case that Canada Post is not empowered to make this decision Stopping the mail can only be done by Parliament, it will be argued. And there is bound to be people who want to question the business sense of any of this. Why should Canada Post stop delivering the mail when others say they can make money at it. What about limited mail delivery? Even two or three days a week would get the bills delivered. One thing is certain. The interest in retaining mail service is among the most front-of-mind issues for Canadian families.
