News releases

OTTAWA - Canada Post today announced a panel of advocates and experts created to offer ongoing input and a forum for dialogue to help make its delivery services more accessible to persons with disabilities and to seniors.

The Canada Post Accessibility Advisory Panel includes individuals with lived experience and recognized expertise on disability or seniors’ issues. Its members are from across the country. Several have received honours for their years of committed advocacy or research.

“Canada Post serves every Canadian,” says Jessica L. McDonald, Chair of the Board of Directors of Canada Post and Interim President and CEO. “As a major federal service provider and employer, we have a responsibility to ensure our services are accessible to everyone. Input from the Accessibility Advisory Panel will help us better understand the barriers faced by persons with disabilities and seniors and how we can enhance our accessible delivery program. This will result in better service for all Canadians. We are delighted these distinguished Canadians have agreed to sit on the panel and take on this important work.”

The Panel will provide a valuable forum for input and dialogue focused on the needs of persons with disabilities and seniors. Members will advise Canada Post on the development, implementation and promotion of an enhanced accessible delivery program to ensure persons with disabilities and seniors have access to their mail and parcels. Members will also provide feedback on the program’s effectiveness.

Enhancing the existing accessible delivery program is part of the Government of Canada’s renewed vision for the postal service, which was announced last January by the Hon. Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, and the Minister responsible for Canada Post.

The Panel is chaired by Susan Margles, Canada Post’s Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs. The first meeting is taking place today and tomorrow, November 5 and 6. Members of the panel serve in an individual capacity rather than as delegates of particular organizations or sectors.

Members’ biographies and the Panel’s terms of reference are available on www.canadapost.ca/accessibilitypanel.

Background

Canada Post is committed to ensuring that all customers, including seniors and persons with disabilities have access to their mail. An established process is in place to understand individual needs and determine appropriate accommodation options on a case by case basis. Any customer who has concerns about their ability to access their mail is invited to call 1-844-454-3009.

For more information:
Media Relations
613-734-8888
media@canadapost.ca