One carrier says its out-of-pocket costs for delivering packages along its rural route have doubled due to the sharp rise in gas prices and the cost of living that many Canadians experience.
“The stress is exhausting,” said Jennifer Henson, a mother of two in Calgary and one of 11,000 rural and suburban postmen delivering letters to Canada Post nationwide.
“It’s not just gas. The cost of living has skyrocketed,” Henson said. “I always wonder how to pay that bill and that bill and I’m no different than any working class Canadian in the country.”
The 38-year-old said it used to cost her $ 60 to fill the tank of her Ford Flex.
“It now costs me $ 125 to fill my deposit every two days, so it’s completely doubled.”
Canada Post’s rural and suburban postmen do not receive a white and red corporate truck or a gas card like their urban counterparts. Thus, in addition to the obligation to use a personal vehicle with a minimum load capacity of 1,415 liters, rural carriers also cover the costs of petrol, maintenance and insurance of their vehicle.
“I drive more than 200 miles a day. We go through tires, oil change, a brake set much faster than the average person,” Henson said.
He said the Crown corporation provides him with a $ 720 fortnightly grant with the help of the Canada Tax Agency to pay those bills, but said it has not been enough.
“I don’t want to criticize Canada Post, because if you talk to most carriers, whether urban or rural, we love our job. I love my route. The countryside is relaxing. I’ve met amazing people,” Henson said. who has been a carrier for 16 years.
“But Canada Post has also increased its fuel surcharge, so when you go to the post office to mail something, you’re paying more as a customer because of the fuel. That doesn’t reach us at all.”
He also said the CRA increased the carrier subsidy by five cents a liter this year, but that “a few cents aren’t doing much when a year ago gas was about $ 1 less.”
Statistics Canada said this week that the annual inflation rate has soared to its highest level in nearly 40 years in May, driven by rising gas prices.
The agency says its consumer price index in May rose 7.7 percent compared to a year ago. It is the largest increase since January 1983.
Food prices for almost everything in a grocery cart also grew 9.7% compared to a year ago.
Henson said the bill at the grocery store has also put a strain on his finances.
“My eldest son is 14 and my youngest will be 12 next month. They are growing up and eating more than most of my friends,” he said.
“When you go to the grocery store, it just surprises me. How do people survive?”
Anna Beale, president of the Calgary Local of the Canadian Postal Workers Union, said Canada Post should increase benefits for its rural workers.
“Canada Post is able to provide all sorts of things, like Tim Hortons gift cards (to its workers),” Beale said. “Why not take that money and make it work in some way for rural drivers so they can pay those gas prices?”
A Canada Post spokesman said in an email that the mail carrier is adapting to rising costs in many of its operations.
“Fuel prices are in unprecedented territory and have affected the entire industry,” Phil Legault said.
He said that to meet any additional or unforeseen expenses, rural and suburban postmen are entitled to compensation for the cost of living.
“This is reviewed throughout the year and is paid according to collective agreements,” Legault said.
“The Canadian Postal Workers’ Union has requested that we discuss the matter and continue to involve them in this matter.”
Along with carriers, a vice president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture said any increase in inflation, as well as the cost of gas and diesel, would further affect rural Canadians.
“We don’t have access to public transportation, so we certainly pay disproportionately more for fuel because we have to drive everywhere,” Keith Currie said.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 24, 2022.
This story was produced with the financial assistance of Meta and the Canadian Press News Fellowship.