Montréal, Laval and Longueuil File Suit Against Canada Post

MONTREAL, May 14, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The mayors of Montréal, Laval, Longueuil and Westmount today announced they were joining forces to take part in a lawsuit aimed at overturning Canada Post's unilateral decision to stop home delivery. At a press briefing, the four mayors underscored the municipal sector's determination to force Canada Post to reverse its decision.

For over one year, the cities have been condemning Canada Post's position in this matter, the illegality of its decision, its lack of transparency and its failure to consult with municipal officials or the public. In particular, Canada Post's plan to end home delivery and install thousands of community mailboxes makes absolutely no provision for the urban environment, including population density, traffic problems and, most importantly, the presence of large numbers of seniors and people with reduced mobility.

"Last February, I made it clear that Montréal would join in the Federal lawsuit filed by the Postal Workers Union against Canada Post. Taking part in this action was also one of six recommendations formulated by the Commission sur le développement social et la diversité montréalaise, which held a public review on the possible termination of home delivery. Not only are we taking action today, we have the support of our counterparts in Laval, Longueuil and Westmount. We are not pleased to have to take legal measures, but given Canada Post's intransigence, this is the only remaining option," said the Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Denis Coderre.

"Laval has expressed great willingness to work with Canada Post. Unfortunately, the effort has been one way only. Our constituents are helpless against Canada Post's cavalier approach and the city remains powerless to deal with its improper actions. We have no choice but to take part in this lawsuit," said the Mayor of Laval, Mr. Marc Demers.

"Longueuil has expressed its opposition to the community mailbox plan from the start. After multiple efforts to highlight the problems this change would cause, along with issues voiced by our residents, Canada Post has failed to follow through on its commitment to hold real public hearings. Clearly, Canada Post is not listening to the public's needs or concerns. This is why Longueuil has decided to take part in the lawsuit as of today," said the Mayor of Longueuil, Ms. Caroline St-Hilaire.

Speaking on behalf of the Association des municipalités de banlieue de l'île de Montréal, Westmount Mayor Mr. Peter Trent expressed the following concern, "Canada Post wants to be the first postal service in the world to get rid of home delivery entirely. This is also retrograde ecologically. Rather than having one person walking door-to-door down a street delivering mail, you will have someone from each address possibly driving (and polluting) their way to their community mailbox."

To join the existing lawsuit, the cities must submit an application to intervene in Federal Court. The Court will decide whether or not to grant this motion and the form such intervention may take. The application will be submitted as soon as possible.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Catherine Maurice, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee of Montréal, 514-346-7598; Marie-Eve Imonti, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor of Longueuil, 514-240-5499; François Brochu, Director, Public Relations, Office of the Mayor, Laval, 450-978-6888 x 5160; Peter Trent, Mayor, Westmount, 514-989-5240