Postal Rate Hike!

[Schon]

From today the Canada Post have increased their rates, inspite of the fact that we are under on going recession all over the country with an un-employment rate of 7.2% in Ontario but still the Federal Govt. did not think twice of increasing the hike in postal services, normally the domestic/local letter use to be ticketted for .52Cents now it would cost .54Cents plus rates on some parcels have also been increased! So many of our Canadians are jobless, and under heavy financial stress, still the present Govt. has no mercy on its
citizens. Hope some sense would prevail in the minds of policy makers of our country, its high time they should realize the genuine problems of its people. The Gas Prices are much lower in many states of USA due to low surcharges/Govt. Taxes, where as here when the international market the cost of Crude Barrel is US $ 37 still the prices at our Gas Stations are retailing @ .76Cents per litre, whereas it should not be over .55Cents per litre at this time, but there is no one to check and balance such rip-offs
and freeze all increases on Govt. level to help the people to fight recession.
These days even jobless people count pennies too! Harper Govt. has failed to give any relief to its people.

 

[shack]

If you're going to live in Canada you'd better be ready to have your ass raped financially on a regular basis. We overpay for virtually everything and then pay a high tax rate on the inflated price.

Gas, cars, postage, books and on and on.

I noticed when gas was spiralling last year that, where for a long time the difference in price between regular and mid-grade was 6 cents, at one point it crept up to 7 cents and a few weeks later it went to 8 cents. They just kinda snuck it in there among all the volatility. Well, gas has come down a lot (just not enough) but do you think that price differential has changed? Not a chance. It's still 8 cents. I used to put in mid-grade, but now I only use regular. Assholes.

Just another example of how the businesses treat us like patsies.

 

[Rockslinger]

If you're going to live in Canada you'd better be ready to have your ass raped financially on a regular basis. We overpay for virtually everything and then pay a high tax rate on the inflated price.

There are some reasons for this:
1) We don't have economy of scale (33MM people).
2) Public health care.
3) No deficit for the past 10 years.
4) Richly rewarded civil service.

 

[Hangman]

Already been posted, but...

 

[Hangman]

Maybe I'm wrong but didn't he cut the GST rate from 7% to 5%?..

if he did, is that not relief to it's people?

It is relief, of course. Some people just prefer to bitch about an ideological enemy than recognize their merits.

 

[Rockslinger]

For those who missed it the first time, there is a reason why there is no monetary amount printed on the new stamps.

 

[wetnose]

From today the Canada Post have increased their rates, inspite of the fact that we are under on going recession all over the country with an un-employment rate of 7.2% in Ontario but still the Federal Govt. did not think twice of increasing the hike in postal services, normally the domestic/local letter use to be ticketted for .52Cents now it would cost .54Cents plus rates on some parcels have also been increased!

Good grief, are you serious about a $0.02 hike? How often do you use the mail anyway? I honestly cannot remember the last time I sent a personal letter.

You want outrage - try $1.25/litre gas. That was painful for everyone - Canada Post included. Consider that some portion of that $1.25 was also going to some nasty characters.

I don't begrudge the Canadian postal workers $0.02 at all. Have you seen the weather recently?

 

[Anynym]

I'm curious. Does anyone have some comparative historical pricing data (say, over the past 30 years) for postage stamps versus, say, a loaf of bread, gasoline, small coffee, a candybar?

For example, candy bars which I recall getting for a quarter now cost about a buck fifty: about a four- to six-fold increase in price. If my memory serves, postage has about doubled in that time.

I can't be sure without the data, but it seems to me the cost of mailing a letter has gone up more slowly than just about any other staple in a similar price bracket.

 

[danmand]

The rate hike is clearly necessary. Remember when mail was
delivered the same day it was posted. That was inexpensive.

Now, Canada Post has to build warehouses to store the mail
for 2 days before it is delivered. Clearly that cost a lot of money.

 

[Malibook]

Maybe now someone will go postal on them.

 

[Rockslinger]

The rate hike is clearly necessary. Remember when mail was delivered the same day it was posted. That was inexpensive.

There are stories from our tribe's old wise men that back in the good old days mail was delivered twice a day and once on Saturday and next day's delivery really meant the next day. All for a 5cent stamp. Canada Post doesn't know the meaning of "service" anymore.

 

[BottomsUp]

I have an inner feeling that if I really hunker down, I'll be able to survive the 2cent increase.

 

[Rockslinger]

I'm curious. Does anyone have some comparative historical pricing data (say, over the past 30 years) for postage stamps versus, say, a loaf of bread, gasoline, small coffee, a candybar?

Price of stamp in 1970 was 6cents and in 1980 was 17cents.
Price of Toronto house in 1970 was $29,500 and in 1980 was $75,700.
24 bottles of beer in 1970 was $5.09 and in 1980 was $10.76.

Cost of SP in 1970 was $300 and in 1980 was $600.

Cost of bread in 1952 was 12cents and in 1987 was $1.38.
Cost of milk in 1952 was 84cents and in 1987 was $3.99
Cost of butter in 1952 was 66cents and in 1987 was $2.81.
Cost of gallon of gas in 1952 was 28cents and in 1987 was $1.69.
Price of new house in 1952 was $6,500 and in 1987 was $86,000.
Price of gold in 1952 was $34 and in 1987 was $554.

Cost of SP in 1952 was $200 and in 1987 was $800.