For a number of years, the Canadian Snowbird Association has received letters from disgruntled members, upset over the handling of their mail by Canada Post. Whether it is the high cost of forwarding mail ($18.00 per month with a three-month minimum) or forwarded mail resuming too early, the message is clearly the same. Canadian snowbirds aren't happy with the service for which they are paying ­ and they want changes made.

There was a 100 per cent increase in the cost of mail redirection between 1995 and 1996, however the price has remained constant for the past three years. Many have written to express their displeasure that Canada Post charges a minimum of $54 to redirect mail, while the U.S. Postal Service provides the same service, free of charge.

Canada Post explains:

1. Mail redirection involves manual processing; a letter carrier has to separate those letters, send them to a sorting station to generate and apply a computer address label to each piece, then the mail goes back into processing for distribution to the U.S. Postal Service. 

2. Snowbirds tend to use temporary re-direction ­ compared to a permanent move. The mail volume for temporary redirection to the south does not decline as customers communicate their new permanent address to their correspondents. 

3. Canada operates on a user-fee system ­ you pay for individual services needed. Canada Post is a commercial crown corporation that has not received taxpayer subsidy since 1988. 

4. The U.S. Postal Service is government-run. On the surface, the service is free, but in reality, it is being funded by tax dollars and stamp revenue. 

The Canadian Snowbird Association will continue to monitor and keep our members apprised of any information or changes regarding mail redirection. If you have a comment regarding the service provided, call toll-free, (800) 267-1177.

To reach the United States Postal Service, call (800) 275-8777.

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