In these times when institutions are often faced with mistrust, if there’s one Canadian institution one might expect to be in that category, it’s our post office. Canada Post is beset by problems as interminable as they are annoying. It seems to face constant labour strife as it just as constantly loses money.

It faced rotating strikes in 2018, a nationwide strike last November, and a current conflict awaits union votes. And while the it was designed to be self-supporting, it last turned a profit in 2017. In 2024 it lost $841 million, bringing its total losses to $3.8 billion.

So would Canadians like to be rid of their strife-ridden, money-losing Crown corporation? Privatize the thing? Not at all. On the contrary, according to a recent Angus Reid survey, nearly two-thirds of us say it’s “important” to them that Canada Post remain a publicly owned service. About half of Canadians say they still regularly receive mail and many find it important for buying online.

Surprisingly, support is higher among young Canadians than the older folk. Not surprisingly, it is more important to rural people than their urban cousins. Also not surprisingly, it is less important to conservatives. Among the provinces, it is seen as least important in Quebec.

Regarding the losses, Canadians would rather subsidize the institution than privatize it. If the $800-million annual loss was paid by taxpayers, it would cost about $20 per citizen. Overwhelming majorities of those who say Canada Post is important to them believe a $20 per year per person subsidy would be worth it to them, and even half of those who say they rarely get mail agree that it would be worth it to maintain Canada Post’s services.

While Canadians are supportive of the institution, the survey indicated they also support change. They agree and disagree with both management and the unions on the various issues. For example, they support management’s proposal for part-time gig workers for weekend delivery, but not at the expense of permanent employees. The gig workers should receive the same pay and benefits as union members. (Amazon relies mainly on gig workers for deliveries.)

The public would also support a reduction in delivery frequency and the adding of new services, for example banking. They don’t support ending door-to-door delivery, something management proposes.

Canadians’ support for Canada Post despite its troubles is a testament to our belief in public services. The post office, by providing a vital service to the entire country, rural and urban with equal prices for all, helps to unify our vast nation.

Both management and unions could benefit from considering surveys such as this. By including the views of Canadians, who are generous to both sides, in their negotiations, they could gain even greater support from an already sympathetic public.