Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior, is hosting a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, March 13, to give Castlegar residents the opportunity to express their concerns and learn more about the proposed Canada Post service cutbacks, including the phasing out of door-to-door service. The event is co-sponsored by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Castlegar local and will take place at the Selkirk Room, Castlegar Recreation Complex, from 7 to 9 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event.
MP Atamanenko will be joined by panelists Castlegar Mayor Lawrence Chernoff, Tammy Verigin-Burk, Executive Director of the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce, Cindy McCallum Miller, CUPW Castlegar local, and Sandi McCreight, coordinator of the Seniors Outreach and Support (S.O.S.) program at Castlegar Community Services.
“Like many Canadians, I was shocked to hear Canada Post’s announcement that it was planning to eliminate home delivery services, pursue the privatization of postal outlets, increase postal rates and lay off thousands of postal workers,” said Atamanenko. “The proposed service cutbacks will have the biggest impact on seniors and persons with disabilities, who depend on home delivery. Small businesses will be affected by the rate increases, making it more difficult for them to compete,” said the NDP MP.
A petition to Parliament and letters to the Honourable Lisa Raitt, the federal minister responsible for Canada Post, and Deepak Chopra, CEO of Canada Post, will be available to sign at the meeting. CUPW is also preparing a local information flyer and a display that illustrates the pros and cons of community mail boxes.
“I would encourage everyone to attend the Town Hall meeting to remind Canada Post where its priorities should be,” said Atamanenko.