Packed town hall meeting over changes at Canada Post
Posted February 22, 2014 4:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – About 70 people packed a meeting room in East Vancouver Saturday, to share their anger over Canada Post’s decision to eliminate door-to-door mail delivery.
Seniors say they will be disproportionally affected.
Lorraine Logan, the new president of the Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of BC or COSCO, says the loss of delivery severs a vital link for the elderly with the outside world.
“People with disabilities have walkers and wheelchairs. You need good lighting at the new community mail boxes to compensate for the darkness. What would this look like during a dark and wintry day?”
Art Kube, also with COSCO, points out it’s the elderly who will be paying more when postage goes up in April.
“Seniors are not able to rely on the new modern communication system, like paying bills online. They are going to pay more for mailing a letter. That’s a double whammy for seniors.”
The cost of an individual stamp will go up to one dollar in April. Home delivery mail service is being phased out over the next five years.
Many other concerns were aired at the town hall, as well. Some are wondering how much the new super mail boxes will cost, and who will pay for repairs or vandalism. Others wonder how the mail boxes will impact the environment, with many people choosing to drive to them to get their mail.
