January 15, 2002 Tuesday Final Edition

Canada Post hikes prices

Canada Post increased the cost of sending letters yesterday with a hike in stamp prices as observers continued to sound a death knell for
so-called "snail mail."

The cost of domestic mail rose by a penny to 48 cents, letters to the U.S. now cost an extra nickel at 65 cents, and mailing overseas will set you back $1.25, up from $1.05.

The added cost will likely not help a postal service that observers say is already under siege by competition from newer, faster technologies such as e-mail.

The advent of e-mail, pagers and faxes has connected Canadians like never before, and postal officials admit snail mail appears headed for a steady decline.