Newsroom - Letters to the Editor

September 21, 2007

(Letter sent to the Editor of the Calgary Herald)

Dear Editor:

Your September 21st editorial, "Return to sender" requires a response.

The suggestion that Canada Post's instruction to its carriers that they must deliver addressed mail over objections of householders "is absurd" really begs the question would the same logic apply to the Calgary Herald?

Is it your contention that if householders object to the advertising (including inserts) contained in the Calgary Herald, you would direct your carriers not to deliver the paper or at the very least remove the advertising? Not likely.

A piece of mail, including addressed admail, in the course of post is to be delivered as addressed. Advertisers pay for their material to be delivered to potential customers just as they pay to have their ads inserted in your newspaper.

Since 1997, Canada Post has provided Canadians with the option to not receive unaddressed admail, something newspapers don't provide. If people don't wish to receive addressed advertising mail, they can simply contact the Canadian Marketing Association and request to have their name removed from mailing lists.

Your editorial seems to be a case of the stove calling the kettle black.

Sincerely,

John Caines
National Media Relations
Ottawa, 613-734-7675
john.caines@canadapost.ca