The mayors for two communities that may be affectedby a Canada Post proposal to reduce hours of operations for rural post offices do not want the national mail carrier to act on the proposal.
Canada Post may eliminate Saturday hours for post offices in Paradise, Topsail, Bay Roberts, Clarke’s Beach and Placentia, among others, according to the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA).
A spokeswoman for Canada Post says a proposal has been made to CPAA, but no decision will be made until consultations take place with the association and the affected communities. She said people are sending fewer letters and receiving more parcels and that reviewing operations in rural communities is necessary to make sure its service remains “viable and strong.”
According to Rob Richards, who was picking up mail from the post office in Topsail Friday, residents of the community are already receiving surveys from Canada Post.
Paradise Mayor Ralph Wiseman said the issue came up in Tuesday’s council meeting.
“We certainly don’t want to see the post office closed on Saturdays here in the town of Paradise,” said Wiseman. “Paradise is a working town and a lot of people do business with the post office.”
He said Saturday is the only day some residents of the community can make it to the post office. If it was closed that day, Wiseman said, it would become more difficult for them to use it.
Conception Bay South Mayor Woodrow French said closing the post office in Topsail on Saturdays would inconvenience residents.
“People who worked all week and had to do things on the weekend with regards to sending mail, paying bills, instead of doing it (Saturday), they’d be inconvenienced having to find a way to do it on Monday,” he said. “It’s just another downgrading of services.”
Both councils intend to voice their objections to the proposed move with Canada Post, according to the two mayors. French said his council has been in regular contact with Canada Post on a variety of matters.
“It just doesn’t seem like it gets anywhere or that they want to listen,” he said. “They just make up what they think is in the best interest of the residents of Conception Bay South. And then they go ahead and do it.”
With files from The Compass
arobinson@thetelegram.com
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