Canada Post gains direct authority to set postage rates; Governor in Council role reduced

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

Previously, Canada Post's postage rates were set by regulation subject to Governor in Council approval, with detailed rules about rate-setting embedded in the regulations framework. The amendment removes those regulatory provisions and instead gives Canada Post Corporation direct statutory authority to establish rates of postage and related terms and conditions. Canada Post must still ensure rates are fair and reasonable and sufficient to cover costs, but bulk-mail agreements and experimental-service agreements are explicitly exempt from that fairness requirement. Standard rates and terms must be made publicly available promptly, while rates under bulk or experimental agreements may remain confidential. Free postage for materials for the blind and reduced library loan rates are now mandatory statutory requirements rather than regulatory discretions. Several sections dealing with the old regulatory rate-setting process, the library book rate agreement, and periodic parliamentary review of library material definitions have been repealed.

Who this affects: Canada Post Corporation · bulk-mail customers and businesses with volume agreements · libraries and interlibrary loan programs · blind persons and organizations serving them · businesses using Canada Post experimental services