UPDATE: In a bold move to reclaim a vital community resource, Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry has just announced a motion aimed at pressuring Canada Post to reopen the shuttered post office in Chinatown. The motion was introduced on Wednesday and highlights the urgent need for access to postal services in a neighborhood significantly impacted by the recent closure.
The Main Street Post Office, which closed in November as part of Canada Post’s cost-saving measures, has left many residents—particularly seniors and individuals with disabilities—struggling to access their mail. Fry emphasized the emotional toll this closure has taken on the community, stating, “Residents of Chinatown in the Downtown Eastside, older people, people with disabilities, people who might not have the means to travel several kilometres to pick up their mail.”
According to Fry, the decision to close the post office was a purely business-driven move by Canada Post. “This was a business decision from Canada Post. They’re obviously going through some new modelling of business decisions,” he explained. While the closure is now a done deal, Fry insists there are still opportunities to establish a new location within Chinatown.
His motion requests that Mayor Ken Sim reach out to federal officials to discuss the possibility of Canada Post returning, potentially utilizing city-owned properties in Chinatown for the new office. “We have properties in Chinatown that are owned by the City of Vancouver that we’re actively looking to redevelop,” Fry noted.
Fry’s motivation stems from a deep concern for the vulnerable population in Chinatown. “A lot of seniors don’t necessarily use electronic banking, and they don’t have access to the Internet, and they rely on mail,” he stated. He also pointed out cultural barriers, as many seniors in the area may not speak English as their first language. “It’s nice to have that kind of facility available,” Fry added.
The Vancouver City Council is set to debate Fry’s motion on Wednesday, putting the spotlight on the pressing issue of access to postal services in one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. As the community rallies behind this initiative, the outcome could significantly impact the lives of many residents who depend on reliable mail services.
This developing story underscores the urgency of restoring essential community resources, especially for those who face barriers in accessing basic services. Stay tuned for more updates as the council meeting approaches and the debate unfolds.
