TUESDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2003

ISSUE: National Databases Impacted by Quebec Address Changes

BACKGROUND NAMMU took a proactive role in 2002 initiating a joint project team with Canada Post to develop a disciplined, uniform methodology for address conversion of Quebec municipal amalgamations. Canada Post acts in a consultative role with the municipalities. The partnership of NAMMU with Canada Post to centralize the process makes good business sense. Strategic and operational committees developed the project requirements and the significant cost savings for Canada Post and mailers justifies any project development costs. In addition, the model can then be used for any other significant municipal amalgamations.

NEW Progress is evident but much slower than anticipated. The project review with the NAMMU Board on February 7th made it clear that mailers' lead time is not fully understood and the impact is for all national mailers with Quebec databases, not only mailers resident in Quebec. It is anticipated there are roughly one million addresses to be converted.

NEXT A joint forum will be held February 14th in Quebec City to resolve unanswered questions and agree timeline commitments. Canada Post will present the process that has now received approval in principle, to meet the municipalities mergers challenges. In addition, discussion will be tabled on information circulation, file format, and other technical issues. Of prime importance is to agree with municipalities a "workable" file of changes. To support this important initiative and assist national communication of impact:

NAMMU has requested the Joint Technical Committee to maintain this issue as a standard agenda item

Specific national accountability has been requested so that the project will hit the national "radar screen" and receive full development support

Impacted national members are invited to attend the February 14th meeting by contacting: 

gprefontain@caa-quebec.qc.ca or contact the president at rowe@thekmrgroup.com for notes following the meeting