The post office is expected to become financially self-sufficient but only in the “longer term,” says the Department of Public Works. Canada Post lost more than a half billion last year.

“While the immediate focus must be on critical investments and improvements to meet the changing needs of Canadians and Canadian businesses, financial self-sustainability remains the corporation’s medium to longer term goal,” said a department memo Main Estimates. It did not define “longer term.”

“As the business shifts from mail to parcels, pressure on costs continues,” said the May 29 memo. “The corporation is making strategic investments to improve service and tracking.”