A delegation of representatives from Magazines Canada met with the Canada Post strategic review panel in Toronto last week to provide six recommendations on what the crown corporation should to do to strengthen its relationship with and improve services for the Canadian magazine industry.

1. There should be a “postal contract” between Canada Post and the Federal Government to clarify the crown corporation’s roles and responsibilities.
2. An independent regulator should be created to ensure compliance with the “postal contract” and provide for arbitration of disputes.
3. Lettermail rates should rise with actual delivery costs.
4. Rate increases should be transparent, timely and predictable.
5. Competition should be introduced in magazine delivery.
6. Distance-related pricing should be put on hold pending the panel’s report.

The delegation also pointed out two key characteristics that make Canada’s magazine industry and mail services unique:

1. The size of Canada’s landmass relative to the small and dispersed population.
2. Competition from American magazines due to our proximity to the world’s largest exporter of magazines. 

Magazines Canada will submit comprehensive proposal to Canada Post in September. This will also go out to Magazines Canada members.

The delegation included Terry Sellwood, general manager, Quarto Communications and vice chair, Magazines Canada; François Blondin, business manager, production & information technology, Transcontinental Media and chair, Magazines Canada Postal Committee; Michael Fox, senior vice president, Rogers Media Publishing and member of the Magazines Canada Public Affairs Committee; Mark Jamison, CEO, Magazines Canada; and Jim Everson, executive director, Public Affairs, Magazines Canada.

The Canada Post panel will complete its review in December 2008.