Canada Post has announced its strategy to switch from home delivery to community mail boxes in response to concerns.
On Wednesday, the Crown corporation released "guiding principals" for converting the remaining five million addresses with delivery at their door to community mailboxes over the next five years.
It promises to be sensitive to the needs of seniors and disabled Canadians and will develop alternative approaches for people with mobility challenges. Canada Post will also work with community leaders and municipal planning officials to choose safe and appropriate sites.
The statement comes as New Westminster-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly challenges Canada Post's plans by collecting signatures calling for the decision to be reversed.
"We've got over 100 calls and emails. It's probably one of the biggest responses we've received on an issue," said Donnelly, who will next introduce the 2,000 name petition containing mostly Tri-City names and addresses to the House of Commons.
The petition, organized by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, asks the government to reverse Canada Post's decision and look instead for ways to modernize the service.
Donnelly is also conducting his own petition on his website at www.findonnelly.ndp.ca.
"I'm hearing seniors talking about issues of having to go to these community boxes, disability folks have spoken out saying they would have a harder time. I'm hearing people concerned about the security of their mail," he said,
Neighbourhoods to be converted will be announced in the second half of 2014 once plans are finalized, Canada Post stated.
