Bill C-15 Proposes Ending Free Mailing for Accessible Materials
This blog post was originally published on the NNELS website, you can read it on the NNELS page here.
Bill C-15, the federal Budget Implementation Act, proposed ending the long-standing Literature for the Blind program in the Canada Post Act. This program currently allows organizations and individuals to send braille, audio, and other accessible format materials to people who are blind or visually impaired by mail at no cost.
For many readers, especially those in rural, remote, or northern areas, receiving books by mail is essential for access.
If the bill passes, the legal protections for free mailing for people who are blind would be removed, and these services could be discontinued without consultation. Organizations and individuals would then have to pay postage on accessible reading materials.
February 24, 2026 (9:55 am Pacific / 12:55 pm Eastern)
Free Literature for the blind and a reduced rate of postage for library materials lent by libraries will continue to be protected in legislation under the Canada Post Corporation Act.
NNELS would like to thank the Honourable Joël Lightbound, members of the Standing Committee on Finance, and members of the House of Commons and the Senate for supporting our efforts to uphold these measures. We also extend our gratitude to our partners who joined us in advocating for free literature for the blind and the reduced rate of postage of library materials.
This decision will meaningfully impact NNELS readers and millions of people across Canada.
Update: February 10, 2026 (11:50 am Pacific / 2:50 pm Eastern)
Since December, NNELS and CELA have been working alongside other library organizations and disability partners, to actively engage on this issue on Parliament Hill, due to concerns that the bill removes legislative protections for free postage for materials for people who are blind. The same amendments also affect reduced postage rates for library materials and interlibrary loans.
CELA and NNELS are now working with the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), Public Library InterLINK, and partners such as CNIB — collaboratively to raise these concerns with Parliamentarians. Advocacy efforts have included coordinated letters to Members of Parliament and Senators, formal submissions to House and Senate committees studying Bill C-15, and direct engagement with Senators and government offices. This included the letter we sent to the Minister Responsible for Canada Post, Joël Lightbound, in December, that was co-signed by over 200 organizations and individuals outlining our concerns and asking that the government remove the amendment that repeals free literature for the blind.
Representatives from the library and accessibility communities (specifically CULC and CNIB) appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications on February 3 to underscore the importance of maintaining free postage for materials for people who are blind as well as maintaining reduced postage rates for library materials. Representatives from CULC and Réseau BIBLIO du Québec also appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance this morning (February 10). Meetings with Senators and with officials from the office of Minister Lightbound have been positive, and engagement with Senate legislative affairs advisors continues as the bill advances.
Bill C-15 is expected to proceed through its remaining stages in the House of Commons and the Senate in the coming weeks. We will continue working with Parliamentarians to ensure that free postage for materials for people who are blind remains protected in legislation, alongside safeguards for reduced postage rates for library materials.
Story Update: December 10 at (1:45 pm Pacific / 4:45 pm Eastern)
Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Lui said in a statement, “We are proud of our long-standing commitment to provide free postage for the blind and have no plans to change this service. As for Bill C-15, we’re not in a position to comment. We remain committed to our mandate of serving all Canadians, including those with disabilities.”
NNELS and CELA welcome Canada Post’s commitment to continue offering free mailing for people in Canada who are blind or visually impaired, and we appreciate the government’s promise to pay Canada Post for these services. However, we remain concerned about removing this requirement from the Canada Post Corporations Act. This provision and the related laws protect this service from future Boards, leaders at Canada Post, and future federal governments who may not support it as much as the current government does.
So far, neither the Minister nor Canada Post has consulted with NNELS or other groups about the planned change. The lack of consultation and engagement with the groups that would be impacted is a big concern to NNELS, CELA, and other organizations that provide support and services to people who are blind or have visual impairments across Canada.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the Literature for the Blind service with the Minister, as requested in our collective letter.
You can read or listen about Bill C-15 and the repeal of the Literature for the Blind Canada Post Service in the news:
- Canada Post commits to free postage for people who are blind as legislation changes (CTV)
- AMI: Audiobook Café Podcast:
What are we doing to help?
NNELS, CELA, and several affected organizations have sent a letter to Joël Lightbound, the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Public Services and Procurement Canada. You can read the letter and the list of signees here.
What can you do?
This issue is urgent, as the House of Commons will begin its holiday recess on Friday. Please speak to your MP about your concerns as soon as possible.
We have a template letter you can use to contact Minister Joël Lightbound and/or your local MP.