Paris, Ont., man challenging Canada Post's decision to cancel delivery to his rural home
Canada Post claims a raised curb and increased traffic along Highway 24 is creating safety concerns
David Kirby of Paris, Ont., is wondering why, after 30 years, Canada Post has deemed the curb near his mailbox unsafe — cancelling delivery to his rural home.
The curb separates the asphalt of Brant Road, or Highway 24 — a busy stretch of road from the gravel strip designed as a drain system to prevent pooling.
The mailbox is located on the grass lawn in front of the gravel gully.
"It's been here an awful long time and it just seems mighty odd that suddenly we can't be delivered to," said Kirby.
He was given 15 days to move his mailbox about 45 metres away, past the solid curb where Canada Post placed a flag marker to map out their preferred location.
"It's pretty crazy really because this rain gully's been here for 30 years and they've crossed it about 10,000 times to deliver and it's never been a problem," said Kirby.
Kirby is holding his ground and hasn't moved the box.
He got another letter from Canada Post dated Dec. 11 that said it hadn't received a response from Kirby, offering some options to receive his mail in the meantime — understanding that residents may not be able to relocate their mailboxes until the ground has thawed.
"It's been winter and the ground's solid and suddenly you're asked to move your mailbox to a location which may not necessarily be any safer," said Kirby.
He says although 45 metres isn't too far away, snow banks could create issues and he'd constantly have to make sure there was a path accessible for Canada Post.
He and his family have been in the house that borders Brantford for the past four years — and after doing some research he says there haven't been changes made to the road or to postal delivery in the past 30 years.
Kirby isn't alone. He says six other neighbours are facing the same issue — some of whom are older and have been asked to move their mailboxes further than his relocation.
Safety concerns
He's now taking on the crown corporation, demanding an explanation as to why the road isn't safe anymore, but says he hasn't been given the explanation he's looking for.
"Unfortunately they don't really include you in the process. It's very bureaucratic," said Kirby.
"When an issue is raised regarding safety, Canada Post representatives and our health and safety committee will conduct a review to evaluate what is causing the potential dangers, and how these conditions can be improved," read the statement.
Canada Post says the safety concerns relate to the raised curb along with the increased traffic volume.
The speed limit along the road is 80 km/h.
"It's strictly because they're saying that driving the van over this rain gully is so dangerous. It's ludicrous because it's only dangerous if you want to cross it at doing 80 km/h and you should never be entering the hard shoulder at 80 km/h," said Kirby. "You should be slowing down to a nice safe speed."
Getting attention
Kirby says he's reached out to local representatives including Phil McColeman, MP for Brantford-Brant, who has written a letter to Canada's Minster of Public Services and Procurement, Carla Qualtrough.
"I'm writing to respectfully request that you ask senior officials at Canada Post to revisit this issue, and conduct further study and consultation with residents, to ensure the safety and accessibility of all involved is considered," read McColeman's Dec. 20 letter.
In the statement to CBC News Canada Post said it provided residents with temporary mail delivery options until the issue is resolved, or customers can choose to permanently receive their mail at a community mailbox instead of relocating their rural mailboxes.
"If Canada Post wants to have a mandate of getting rid of rural delivery then that should be their mandate and it apply to everyone," said Kirby.
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