Mr. Hart is using selective truths to paint away the facts that Canada Post is giving Chinese, and US shippers, preferential treatment, over Canadian e-merchants.
Canada Post did not negotiate anything to wipe away the disparity. The UPU created new international rules in 2016, which come into effect on January 1, 2018, which raise the amounts of money that foreign Post Offices pay to Canada Post. That does not in any way affect the commercial rates that Canada Post has negotiated directly with Chinese and US shippers that bypass the UPU rules, and gives these shippers preference over Canadian merchants. Shame on you Mr. Hart!
In regards to the de minimis that covers the value of imports before duty and taxes are applied, Canada should match Australia - which starts on July 1, 2018, and the EU about two years after that, which taxes imports from the first cent of value, just like when you're in a retail store in Canada.
Let's stand up for the Canadian merchant, not the foreign sellers.