OTTAWA - Deepak Chopra, an experienced executive who has overseen mail delivery services around the world, is taking over the reins at government-owned Canada Post Corp.

Chopra, not to be confused with the Indian-American self-help guru of the same name, lives in Toronto and was formerly the president and CEO of the Canadian and Latin American regions of Pitney Bowes, a global mailing and communications firm.

Prior to that he held various senior executive positions at the company, overseeing operations in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Chopra, who takes over from Stewart Bacon, begins his five-year term starting Feb. 1.

"His extensive experience in dealing with government and postal officials around the world, as well as his vast knowledge of the regulatory bodies governing the mailing industry, will definitely be a strong asset to the corporation," Transport Minister Chuck Strahl said in a release.

As president and CEO, Chopra will sit on the board of directors and chairs a committee that manages strategies and priorities, as well as the public policy framework targets set by the Government of Canada.

Canada Post is one of the country's largest employers, with some 72,000 employees.

The Crown corporation estimates it delivered about 11 billion items to 15 million residential and businesses in 2009.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has requested a get-acquainted meeting with Chopra to highlight some key concerns, said CUPW national president Denis Lemelin.

"We think the corporation needs a management that understands that Canada Post is, first and foremost, a public service. It also needs a management that is willing to sit down with the union and solve problems," Lemelin said.

The union has listed several goals, including expanding Canada Post's parcel delivery and retail services.

On Monday, the postal service introduced a rate hike for stamps. A basic domestic stamp rose two cents from 57 cents to 59 cents for standard letters weighing up to 30 grams. Postage to the U.S. rose three cents to $1.03 and overseas letters rose five cents to $1.75.

The increases are part of a five-year pricing strategy announced in 2009 to keep pace with inflation and operating costs. Canada Post has said it will ensure that costs are borne by people who use the service rather than taxpayers.

Canada Post has estimated that the average Canadian household buys 45 stamps a year.