According to Jack Layton, the current Canada Post labour dispute, in which the crown corporation has locked out its workers, is a part of a much bigger picture.

The NDP leader — and leader of the Official Opposition — tells the Calgary Herald the Harper Tories have shutdown the postal service and it makes no sense unless you put it in the context of a wider strategy.

Layton feels the government wants to weaken Canadians’ commitment to the postal service and ultimately sees the crown corporation being privatized.  He also feels postal service will be a pawn in future free trade deals and that eventually mail delivery will be handled by big, multi-national companies with the consumer “paying through the teeth.”

In a related development, the U.S. Postal Service says as of today, it will no longer accept mail destined for Canada.  The blackout won’t be lifted until service resumes here in Canada.