Community mailbox so far fails to deliver
Canada Post isn’t making any new friends in Markham, judging by the mess it left after installing a new community mailbox.
The conversion from home delivery to community mailboxes in urban areas continues to be a hot topic, with many people resentful about losing mail service to their door.
Since the majority of deliveries by Canada Post are flyers, others don’t care, and have no intention of making regular trips to their local mailbox to collect junk mail.
Locations for new boxes yet to be installed are also contentious, with nearby residents worrying they’ll be deluged with litter from people who can’t be bothered to carry it home.
But the recent installation of a community mailbox on Delhi Cr., near 16th Ave. and Kennedy Rd., has Mike Gannon steaming about Canada Post’s response to his complaints.
After the box went in, Gannon said, the contractor left “a pile of concrete and mud in the street blocking traffic,” adding, “when it rains we wade through puddles to reach the box.
“On June 26th I called Canada Post and opened a service ticket. On June 29th I got an email saying it’s all resolved and the ticket is closed, contrary to reality!
“I took a picture, sent it in, and called them again. In a creative dis- play of spin and arrogance, they closed the ticket because the ‘depot’ has responded that they know about the issue, but cannot say when, if ever, it will be fixed.
“This is the real Canada Post in action. What do I do? Should I call the police about the concrete blocks left blocking the road for two weeks?”
We went there and found a large pile of dirt on the road next to the box, dug out of the boulevard to create a space for it, along with a halfdozen concrete slabs that appear to be the bases for other mailboxes. Status: Canada Post spokesperson Anick Losier called to say, “We failed on two fronts,” first with a substandard installation, then in the response to Gannon’s complaints. The installation is “completely unacceptable. This should never have happened. I want to emphasize how sorry we are,” Losier said, adding that stuff on the road will be removed and the area around the box will be properly finished ASAP. Canada Post will also take another look at other mailboxes in the area to make sure they comply with standards, Losier said. What’s broken in your neighbourhood? Wherever you are in Greater Toronto, we want to know. To contact us, go to thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer or call us at 416-869-4823 email jlakey@thestar.ca. Report problems and follow us on Twitter @TOStarFixer.