The proposed federal budget includes an item which would eliminate the protections for the Free Literature for the Blind program and could impact CELA's ability to mail accessible reading materials to our users.
Current Situation
Update March 26, 2026
We are pleased that Bill C-15 has received royal assent and that the protections for both the Free Literature for the Blind, and the reduced rate for library materials were preserved. These Canada Post programs are an essential component of services like CELA's which allows us to get physical materials to people in Canada with print disabilities. Our thanks go out to everyone who participated in our advocacy efforts and to Minister Lightbound for maintaining these provisions.
Update February 24, 2026 : Good news! Yesterday, the House of Commons Finance Committee approved amendments to Bill C-15 (2025 Budget Implementation Act) that reinstates the protections for free literature for the blind and reduced postage rates for library materials in the Canada Post Corporations Act.
The new wording reads:
Exceptions — rates
(3.1) The Corporation must provide for
(a) the transmission by post, free of postage, of letters, books, tapes, records and other similar material for the use of the blind; and
(b) a reduced rate of postage for library materials lent by a library to a borrower, including by means of an interlibrary loan.
Bill C-15 must now be sent back to the House of Commons for Report Stage and 3rd Reading. Once passed, it will proceed to the Senate. We do not expect any major changes to this section and certainly none that should cause further harm to Canada Post rates for library materials or materials for the use of the blind.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported and helped in this important advocacy work. NNELS and CELA worked collaboratively with the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), Braille Literacy Canada (BLC) and Public Library InterLINK on this issue. We also worked alongside CNIB and other disability partners - all of our voices together have collectively made a difference.
Update February 10, 2026 : 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. Continued 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.
Representatives from the library and accessibility communities (specifically CULC and CNIB) also 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. 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.
Representatives from CULC and Réseau BIBLIO du Québec also appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance this morning (February 10).
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.
Updated December 18, 2025 : CELA and NNELS (National Network for Equitable Library Service) have been able to meet with the Finance Minister Champagne's office and discussions have also been held with staff in both the Office of the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement and the Prime Minister’s Office. We are also working in conjunction with CULC (Canadian Urban Libraries Council) and other supporting library organizations on the different, but related issue, of repealing the clause which ensures reduced postage rates for library materials. Both issues are wrapped in the same section of Bill C-15 that propose changes to the Canada Post Corporations Act.
Update December 9, 2025 : Following increasing media interest, on Tuesday December 9, Minister Lightbound's office issued a statement offering assurances that it is not their intention to cut the Free Literature for the Blind program.
We appreciate these assurances. However, assurances are not guarantees, nor do they offer regulatory protections. We believe the government has both the capacity and obligation to preserve this vital service in legislation which ensures format choice and equitable access to reading materials to people across Canada. Without regulatory protection, the Free Literature for the Blind program could continuously be placed at risk.
Background
The proposed federal budget includes an item which would eliminate the Free Literature for the Blind program.
Without this program, CELA would no longer be able to mail physical braille, printbraille and audiobook players to users with print disabilities. This would leave many of our users without any access to reading materials.
In addition, we know that many of the organizations that support people who are blind or have low vision also rely on the Free Literature for the Blind program to offer services and support this community.
It is crucial that this service be maintained and that it continues to be supported and protected by Canadian law so that it is not unduly affected by politics or budget issues.
What CELA and NNELS are doing in response to this situation:
CELA and NNELS along with many other organizations sent a letter to the Letter to the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Public Services and Procurement Canada on Tuesday, December 9.
This letter calls on the government to withdraw this amendment to the Canada Post Corporation Act and ensure that the free post to the blind can continue. It included more than 200 signatures of support. Read the full letter.
We continue to advocate with government officials directly to share about the potential impacts of this decision.
What you can do to help
For users and organizations:
Call or write your Member of Parliament.
We have a letter available which users and supporting organizations are welcome to use or adapt. Please voice your concerns to your MP as soon as possible.
Find your Member of Parliament's contact information.
Share you letter or concerns with Minister Joel Lightbound who is responsible for Canada Post.
Email: joel.lightbound@parl.gc.ca
Hon. Joël Lightbound, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Public Services and Procurement Canada
11 Laurier St.,
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0S5
Telephone: 613-995-4995
Fax: 613-996-8292
For Libraries
For our library friends, if you would like to advocate with your MP, or Minister Lightbound, please use this template letter which addresses both this issue, free postage for the blind, as well as the related issue of repealing the clause which ensures reduced postage rates for libraries.
Media Coverage
Federal budget proposes to end free postage for materials used by people who are blind - The Globe …
Canada Post commits to free postage for people who are blind as legislation changes
Libraries say budget proposal to end shipping program would be 'catastrophic
La fin potentielle d’un service de livraison gratuit pour les personnes malvoyantes
Supporting statements from other organizations
NNELS
CNIB
Template Letter for Libraries from Save ILL in Canada
