Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 25, 2015
Canada Post strikes back in mailbox battle
Canada Post has asked the courts to strike down Hamilton’s mailbox installation bylaw the day after eight charges were laid under the new rules.
Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton said the legal counter-move came after the agency received a city order to stop ongoing installation of the controversial community mailboxes based on the recently passed bylaw.
He said he wasn’t aware of any charges under the bylaw, but added a hearing to consider Canada Post’s application is scheduled for April 28.
City spokesperson Mike Kirkopoulos said Friday eight charges related to three unidentified mailbox locations were sworn late Thursday – six against Canada Post and two against a subcontractor, SNC Lavalin.
He couldn’t immediately comment on what the latest court filing means to the city.
“We regret that court action is necessary … but we’re at a point where we need to continue to move forward,” said Hamilton, noting, the agency has been in contact with the city since last June over the planned installations.
The legal battle started when the city enacted a new bylaw earlier this month that requires the Crown corporation to apply for a $200 permit for each of an estimated 4,000 community mailboxes meant to replace door-to-door mail delivery in Hamilton.
Council followed up on Wednesday by asking its lawyers to file a court application to “restrain” ongoing installation by Canada Post. The agency’s counter-move appears to have been filed first, however.
Canada Post has argued from the get-go its federal mandate trumps municipal bylaws and installation of the first of 1,000 mailboxes on the Mountain began last Friday. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)