BAD NEWS FOR CANADIAN BOOK PUBLISHERS

Canada Post is planning to double postage rates for thick envelopes. Effective next January, the cost of mailing a package weighing between 200 grams and 500 grams will rise to $5.50 from $2.25. The same doubling of cost will apply to smaller packages. Terrible news for Canadian publishers, used book dealers, small businesses that already operate on paper-thin profit margins -- and anyone wanting to send so much as a pair of socks in the mail. I can smell the protest in the air already.