The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is criticizing Canada Post for awarding $30.8 million in bonuses to top executives and managers last year, even as the corporation received billions in government bailouts amid staggering revenue losses.
The federation says it's unacceptable for Canada Post to hand out bonuses while taking taxpayer-funded bailouts, and that the payments are part of an existing compensation program funded by Canada Post's own revenues.
According to a report to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, the payments are part of an at-risk performance incentive program, where bonus pay must be re-earned each year by meeting performance goals.
Canada Post has been dealing with rising costs and falling revenues due to changes in society and technology, leading to a $181-million loss in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same time period last year.
The corporation has blamed the decline on falling volumes across all of its business sectors, pointing to lingering labour uncertainty as a key factor, and is still in the midst of generational changes in how they do business, including plans to halt door-to-door delivery in a significant portion of the country.
Canada Post has received its third federal bailout in May, bringing total government financial support for the struggling Crown corporation to $2.72 billion.
The corporation's response to criticism largely matched its committee report, stating that the payments are funded from Canada Post's own revenues, not the repayable government bridge funding, and that their objective is to re-establish a sustainable, reliable postal service for all Canadians.
Canada Post has implemented cost-cutting measures, including the elimination of guaranteed pensions, frozen salary grids, and layoffs, but these changes have resulted in key employees leaving for better-paying jobs.
The corporation has committed to further actions to reach a 20% reduction in management costs, as directed by their Minister.
