Mail Deliveries To Be Reduced ?
It appears that Canada Post is considering a reduction in mail deliveries, down to 3 days a week.
The crown corporation is facing a $327 million dollar operation loss due to advances in technology, like e-mail and online bill payments, and like most national postal services they are trying to adapt as fewer letters and parcels make their way through their system.
Most Canadian consumers these days have their parcels delivered either via courier or to stores for pick-up so reductions in service are likely unavoidable. But I suspect they might need to have a full five day schedule during the Christmas rush in November and December.
Rural residents will likely be the most affected by these reductions, especially those with little to no internet access. But Canada Post is also considering a reduction in postal outlets, so many city residents will also be inconvenienced.
Bill C-30 Killed – Replacement On The Way
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson has stated that Bill C-30 will not proceed in Parliament in response to the concerns brought up by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and members of the public.
This bill would have enabled police to access internet traffic without a warrant and would have required the installation and maintenance of extra equipment by internet providers, who would have passed the associated expenditures down to the consumer.
Canadians would not only have lost rights in regards to privacy but could have also been subjected to security breaches via the new aforementioned online spying equipment had this bill gone through.
A new bill will be unveiled shortly in Parliament so additional information will be posted to this blog a.s.a.p.
The Source Renovating & Expanding
The Source will be opening 20 new, larger stores according to a February 1st, 2013 press release from the company.
More than half of these new “small box” stores will be opened in Western Canada and will feature more cell phones, tablets, DSLR Cameras, mp3 players, laptops and Smart TVs.
Fifty of their current locations will also be renovated to offer more of the aforementioned electronics.
Retail News – Future Shop/Best Buy/HMV U.K
Eight Future Shop and seven Best Buy stores are set to close though-out Canada as the company restructures their retail operations.
According to a January 31st, 2013 press release smaller retail operations will replace these stores :
Best Buy stores in Queensborough, Nanaimo, Victoria, Langford (Westshore Town Centre), and South Surrey, British Columbia; and Lachenaie, and Sherbrooke (SmartCentres Sherbrooke), Quebec.
Future Shop stores in West Kelowna, British Columbia; Montreal (Forum Entertainment Center), Laval (First Pro Ste-Dorothee), Quebec; Regent, Manitoba; Macleod, Calgary; as well as Ancaster, Barrie South and Erin Mills, Ontario.
Best Buy Mobile locations will expand whilst smaller Future Shop “web stores”.
On the other side of the pond, HMV U.K is also restructuring and is not currently taking online orders via their site.
Sixteen stores have been closed in Ireland and half of the 223 U.K stores are expected to close shortly.
On Par Savings + Free Shipping On Instruments
Both GuitarCenter.com and Musician’s Friend
are now offering deals to Canadians.
They are both offering free shipping on orders over $199. And are both offering percentages off orders over $199 or $999.
- GuitarCenter.com
- 5% Off Orders Over $199 – Use Coupon Code LESPAUL5
- 10% Off Orders Over $999 – Use Coupon Code LESPAUL10
- Musician’s Friend
- 5% Off Orders Over $199 – Use Coupon Code GIBSON5
- 10% Off Orders Over $999 – Use Coupon Code GIBSON10
Both offers end on April 9th, 2013. And not that the Canadian dollar is currently on par with the US greenback so this would be a great time to buy instruments or accessories.
More Gift Card Offers
You can purchase a $60 iTunes gift pack for $48 at participating Best Buy Canada and Future Shop locations until January 24th, 2013. This gift pack contains four $15 gift cards.
Select Real Canadian Superstores are also offering $10 off $50 iTunes gift cards. A coupon should be available either in your weekly flyer on on display with the gift cards themselves. This offer also ends on January 24th, 2013.