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Telegraph-Journal

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Speak Up

SUSSEX - Town councillors discussed back and forth whether or not they have a role to play, when they were asked by the Canadian Union of Postal Employees to take their side in a battle against the federal government.

In a letter to council, the union said the government-initiated Canada Post Corporation Strategic Review is being conducted hastily and is potentially dangerous to the future of public post offices.

Specifically, the union fears deregulation would eliminate Canada Post's exclusive privilege to handle the letter market.

The union asked for council's support in asking for public hearings on the issue and wanted help in its fight against possible deregulation.

Coun. Stephen Campbell questioned if council should step in.

"I don't see this as any different than any other public company undergoing a review," he said during this week's council meeting.

Deputy Mayor Marc Thorne, however, said in the past council has sent correspondence to the federal government asking that post offices remain open.

While he was not in support of council taking a stand on the deregulation of postal services, he did present a motion - which was unanimously passed - that the town send a letter to the Canada Post Corporation "insisting the federal government should hold public hearings" on the issue. "I'm not making any comment on deregulation," he said.