The city of Montreal began its first day of public hearings Tuesday night on the end of door-to-door mail delivery.
Many residents who presented their arguments to a committee of city councilors said the fight is far from over.
Canada Post announced the cuts to service in December 2013, explaining that their business model had changed, and blaming rising costs and falling mail volume for cutting home delivery.
Disabled rights group president Linda Gauthier attended the meeting at city hall and explained to CTV News the challenge of leaving her house to get her mail even though she has a motorized wheelchair.
“A couple of inches of snow and I have to stay at home because I cannot go on the sidewalks.”
She also said that many people with disabilities are frustrated with Canada Post’s decision to replace door-to-door service with community boxes.
Although the crown corporation is offering to continue home delivery for those in need, Gauthier said the application process is intrusive and ultimately would cost the user for the continued service.
“That has to be signed and approved by my doctor,” said Gauthier. “Who is going to pay for that? She said well it's you.”
The Canadian Postal Workers Union president Denis Lemelin was also at the hearing and said that Canada Post should consider offering more services to help balance the books.
Lemelin said it’s important for residents to express themselves at these hearings.
“If these citizens are standing up and saying no, that will give the message first to the government and secondly give the example to other municipalities.”
Parts of the West Island and South Shore are supposed to get community boxes this year, but the union hopes the public meetings which continue Wednedsay and Thursday nights will change that.
The committee will review the findings and make a decision by mid-February.
Montrealers can check Canada Post's website to check if their mail delivery will change.
