A grassroots organization believes it has a radical vision that may help position Canada Post as leader in the climate-friendly economy.
Activist group Friends of Public Services is touring Canada in an effort to share their visions of Canada Post that is the centre of community care and economic development, all while creating a green economy.
The group’s executive director, Dru Jay, said he sees the transition happening in two ways.
“One is greening the fleet, so starting to transition all delivery services to electric power and another way is to add postal banking,” Jay said.
Postal banking would provide basic financial services and offer affordable loans for renewable energy growth.
Jay explained that by turning all the existing postal offices across the country into publicly-owned banks, the transformation would allow for investment into solar panels, green energy and economic developments.
“There are a lot of communities that have lost their banks,” Jay said. “Expanding the post office to also be a bank could help preserve communities and help maintain their local economies.”
The idea is that by offering banking services, Canada Post could become the most accessible bank in the country.
The group would also like to see an economic improvement based on green technology.
“The world is facing a climate crisis,” he said. “We need to get off fossil fuels, and we need to develop an economy that works for communities and the environment.”
Jay believes turning post offices into charging stations for electric cars would help, especially if these vehicles are purchased for the postal offices.
With Canada Post being one of the biggest service networks in Canada, it has a presence in every community.
“We want (Canada Post) to provide services that help older people, help with food security in the North and help with moving off fossil fuels,” Jay said.
“We want to provide a Postal Service for the 21st Century and to preserve the jobs but also to use our public services for the good of the community and the planet.”
