ITEM
MANAGER'S REPORT NO. 34
COUNCIL MEETING 87/05/19

"s SN RD MS. REM LS
(c} The position adopted by Canada Post that disabled people
must ask friends or neighbours for assistance runs counter
to the objective of encouraging disabied people to strive
to live independently in society.

A telephone survey of some Lower Mainiand municipalities has
revealed that approximately half have already sent resolutions to
Canada Post refusing to co-operate on this issue, as well as voic-
ing their opposition to the establishment of Super Mail Boxes in
new subdivisions. The main reason given is that Canada Post will
be providing a two-tier service system, that 1s, two separate Tev-
eis of service for the community which, as a whole, pays equally
for the use of the postal service. This is considered to be
unjustified and discriminatory. The resolutions further state that
there should be one level of service for all citizens, especially
in urban areas, that provides door-to-door delivery in new sub-
divisions.
We have been advised verbally that under the Post Office Act,
Canada Post does not, in fact, need permission from municipalities
to instali their facilities such as Super Mail Boxes. However,
they are, as a courtesy, requesting our involvement to ensure that
suitable sites are provided.

CONCLUSIGH

In view of the foregoing, we would recommend that Council oppose
the provision of Super Mail Boxes in lieu of door-to-door delivery
by way of resolutions to be sent to both Mr. Don Lander, President
& Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corp., Ottawa, and the Union
of British Columbia Municipalities, which meets from September 23
to 25. The resolutions will need to be presented, prior to May 22,
to the Lower Mainland Municipal Association for consideration at
their meeting to be held on June 18. We should attempt to seek the
support of the UBCM in order that a final presentation may be made
to Ottawa, possibly through the Canadian Federation of Municipali-
ties. It should be noted that a similar resolution presented tc
the UBCM in 1986 by Port Moody was not endorsed by the UBCM (appar-
ently there was little or no opposition to the Super Mail Boxes by
Fraser Valley municipalities which are more rural and which have a
large number of the old “green boxes" currently in use). The
Executive Director of the UBCM has advised that in response to a
letter from the District of North Vancouver, the UBCM Executive, at
its meeting of 1987 January 23, resolved to forward a letter to the
Honorable Michel Cote expressing concern over the erosion of mail
delivery.

e L. PARR,

DIRECTOR PLANNING &
BUILDING INSPECTION