Canada Post continuing to install mailboxes despite threat of fines

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Canada Post is ignoring a by-law passed just two days ago at Hamilton City Hall. It’s meant to regulate how Canada Post rolls out its community mailboxes. As Donna Skelly discovered today, the crown corporation will continue to install the mailboxes, despite threats of ongoing fines from the city.

The new bylaw was supposed to force Canada Post to apply for a permit before it installed anymore of it’s community mailboxes. But a spokesperson for Canada Post says the bylaw won’t have any impact on the plan to roll out 36 thousand community mailboxes across the city. Hamilton City Councillor Terry Whitehead has a question for the spokesperson “I’d love to ask him why he doesn’t respect our rights – we respect theirs. This is not prohibiting what they are supposed to do, this is trying to enhance it.”

“We notified the city even before the bylaw was even discussed that there are laws of how mail service is provided in Canada and included in that is where you can place equipment. That’s the law that we are acting within and we are going to continue to do so” said Jon Hamilton from Canada Post.

Another contentious issue is the financial compensation Canada Post is offering the city. Hamilton wants 200 dollars per mailbox but Canada Post is offering a lower amount – equal to what it offers every other community across the country.

“I’m not privy as to how the city came to those numbers, I’m just saying we’ve talked to the community so we understand there is some staff time for funds and we offer $50 per site.” said Mr. Hamilton.

All of the mailboxes being installed sit on a concrete pad have graffitti resistant wraps and individual as well as parcel boxes. They also include a number to call for complaints. As for the time line, Canada Post says it is on target to replace door to door delivery at 36 thousand homes on Hamilton mountain over the next five years.