Canada Post suspends community mailbox program

In a statement, it says the corporation is putting the program on hold, and this involves about 460,000 addresses across the country which are now in the process to be converted to community mailboxes.

Canada Post, however, was adamant that it was moving ahead with the mailbox conversions, telling CUPW late last week – after the election results were known – that it would not back away from the plan.

Canada Post said the communities were selected due to areas nearby already using community mailboxes, with the infrastructure already in place.August 14, 2014 – Canada Post says those with medical note can can keep home deliveryCanada Post says they will require medical information from people who are unable to collect their mail at a community mailbox and still need home delivery.

Community mailboxes have been the target of criminals across the Lower Mainland, with residents in many neighbourhoods complaining their mail is too vulnerable to theft.

“We will work collaboratively with the Government of Canada to determine the best path forward given the ongoing challenges faced by the Canadian postal system”, the corporation said.

Four municipalities, including Montreal, had joined the postal workers’ union in trying to block the community mailbox program in court.

Ken Stone, a well-known activist who camped out to prevent Canada Post from installing a controversial community mailbox at East 34th Street and Brucedale Avenue, said halting the conversion is a “very good step” but doesn’t go far enough.

Preeper’s community mailbox was built a year ago and she says she’s had a number of problems with her locks.

“I really would like to have it delivered the way it used to be: open my door, look in my mailbox and get my mail”, said Hawksworth. A few weeks ago, her mail was soaked.

However, maintaining door-to-door likely won’t come cheap.

A study by the Conference Board of Canada in 2013, estimated that Canada Post could save $576 million a year by eliminating the service.