Community mailbox construction begins on P.E.I.

Complaint calls are rolling in as Canada Post places the concrete bases for hundreds of new community mailboxes in Charlottetown and Stratford.

Workers have been busy installing the bases, on the job Sunday morning during the long weekend and in some cases late into the night.

Close to 10,000 residents and businesses are expected to lose home delivery in the next few weeks. Daniel Schulman is losing delivery at his house and his acupuncture business in downtown Charlottetown.

"Quite frankly this is a joke, and it's terrible and we need to stand up and say enough," said Schulman.

"I predict it will cost more and take more administration than the system we have."

Municipalities powerless

Schulman has complained to Canada Post. Other residents are calling the Town in Stratford and Charlottetown City Hall, but the municipalities say there is nothing they can do.

Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee said the city doesn't want the community mailboxes, but but it can't overstep a federal body.

"It's an awkward situation, and I understand and appreciate that residents aren't happy with where these boxes are being located," said Lee.

"But the municipal government cannot dictate to Canada Post where to put the boxes."

Lee said city planning staff reviewed the locations in terms of safety and logistics only.

Canada Post spokeswoman Anick Losier said residents have had a number of opportunities to offer feedback, including door-to-door visits to homes closest to the boxes. She said Canada Post has been listening.

"We made close to 30 to 40 percent modification on sites across the country, based on residents feedback throughout the process," said Losier.

If residents still have concerns, Losier recommends they call Canada Post's toll free number: 1-844-454-3009. She said it's late in the process, so people should only expect changes to be made if there are significant, provable safety concerns.

Editor's note

CBC P.E.I. employee Richie Bulger is currently in a dispute with Canada Post over the location of a community mailbox. Richie Bulger had no editorial input in the creation of this story.