Residents of Timmins and area were able to meet with officials last night at St. Dominique’s Hall located on Norman Street in Timmins to have their questions and concerns addressed related to the decision by Canada Post to end door-to-door service.
Mayor Steve Black, Timmins-James Bay MPP Charlie Angus, and representatives from Canada Post workers union were joined by close to 170 members of the public including seven of nine city council members, Liberal candidate Todd Lever and workers from Canada Post.
This meeting was to provide information to the public related to Timmins losing its door-to-door mail delivery, and allow the public to ask questions regarding the Canada Post decision to end door-to-door mail delivery.
The public raised concerns regarding the job losses and the impact to the economy, safety of the mailboxes, personal safety of those going to pick up their mail, the possible issues for the elderly and those who are unable to get their mail due to physical hardships, there was also the point of who is liable should someone be injured getting their mail.
Mary-Ellen Dolighan was in attendance to hear what the panel had to say.
She said she is concerned for the safety of seniors, as well as the safety of the mail and packages which will be stored in these community boxes.
“How far are seniors going to have to walk to collect their mail?” said Dolighan; who also said she is concerned about theft and damage to the boxes and mail; as well as graffiti to the boxes.
Theft of mail and packages was a big concern with many members of the community as well with no solution to protecting the mail left in these community boxes.
Snow removal and mail box upkeep was also a large concern for many; this concern was addressed by the public being told that while the boxes will be on municipal property, the maintenance and snow removal around them is up to Canada Post.
Angus was clear that the Canada Post was a business, and said that although the business may be changing the cuts to service are not needed.
The NDP (New Democratic Party) stand firmly against this idea to change and hope that with pressure from the public changes may take place to the decision, he said.
Angus advised that Canada Post is a Crown Corporation and that its business practices need to be reviewed and an attempt to fix its issues made before something like discontinuing door-to-door service.
“Although the business is changing, it's still viable,” Angus said. “This idea of cutting services is an ideologically-based one more than anything and there are other options that don't involve service cuts and job losses.”
During the meeting, it was mentioned that Canada Post will be holding the responsibility to clear and clean the areas to make sure the boxes are accessible during the winters; and that the municipalities will not be responsible for this.
Black advised the public that while this is what is being said, there is no guarantee that this will be the case when it is implemented or 10 years down the road.
This is a concern for the City of Timmins due to the current budget stretching to make road maintenance, and snow removal a priority for the streets.
Those in attendance heard that while the concern is valid, Canada Post will not be laying off workers, but instead will not be refilling positions of those who retire or otherwise leave the Crown Corporation.
Those concerned about the disabled and elderly getting their mail were told that Canada Post will allow them to submit documentation to support their need for door-to-door service.
Once the individual has proven with doctors notes and other forms that they are indeed disabled and unable to pick mail, they will be approved to receive door to door once a week.
Liberal Party candidate, Todd Lever, addressed the panel and public advising that he is glad the NDP voiced their concerns for the changes, and acknowledged the NDP for being the first party to voice their opposition to this change, and that his party is also against the changes being made.
“This is not something we want to see happen. There will need to be a lot of consultation with the public on this matter” said Lever.
Lever suggested those members of the public who are against the changes contact Canada Post and its officials with written letters to voice discontent and concerns.
This sentiment was echoed by Angus and Black who both agreed that contacting the proper people with complaints and concerns would help push the issue.
It was also suggested that those against the changes voice their concerns during the federal election campaign and vote later this year.
At this time there is no detailed plan as to how, when or where these changes will be implemented in the city, but Timmins will be the first in Northeastern Ontario to experience the changes.
Canada post believes that the mailbox format will be more cost effective and will increase their revenues.
This idea was put forward two years ago by the Crown Corporation and is set to take effect in summer 2016.
Hamilton is currently fighting the changes and has brought the issue to court.
Many municipalities are waiting to see what happens with the legal actions to move forward in stopping Canada Post from ending door to door services.
(PHOTO: Nearly 170 people turned out for last night's town hall meeting, expressing concerns over the planned end of door-to-door mail service in Timmins. Jennifer Massie for TimminsToday)
