Alta. post office struggling to stay open following Canada Post vaccine mandate: mayor
The mayor of a town northeast of Edmonton says its Canada Post is barely able to stay open after the Crown corporation mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for employees.
Lamont's post office was closed Monday without advance warning because of staffing issues.
The location has roughly 1,500 boxes, and serves a number of rural county residents.
Mayor Kirk Perrin told CTV News Edmonton it was able to open for the rest of the week, thanks to workers from other locations.
"It's been new staff every single day and it's just kind of chaos there, but it is opening and they're doing the best they can," Perrin said.
The mayor acknowledged he has "no idea what's happening with the regular staff," but he's heard the staff shortages are related to Canada Post's vaccine mandate. He also believes other communities are facing the same issue.
It's the first kind of service disruption Perrin has experienced during his eight years in Lamont, a town of about 2,000 people 60 kilometres outside Edmonton.
Canada Post and other federally regulated agencies followed the federal government's suit in the late summer in making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory across the federal public service.
Canada Post's policy came into effect on Nov. 27, just two days before Lamont's post office's Monday closure.
According to Alberta Health, 69 per cent of all people in Lamont County have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Just under 65 per cent are fully vaccinated. The rates are about level with those seen in most of its neighbouring counties.
In a statement to CTV News Edmonton, Canada Post acknowledged "there may be a few isolated cases where a post office may see reduced hours or temporarily close due to staffing issues," but said it wasn't otherwise anticipating any major service disruptions.
Yet the impact felt by Lamont residents and businesses hasn't been small.
"It's huge, especially the time of year," Perrin told CTV News Edmonton.
The community has a larger elderly population. Some residents aren't able to drive the hour to Edmonton for services.
"For those people who either rely on medication or regular shipments, via parcels and Canada Post, for medication or supplies or whatever, it's really acute… Not only that, but it's the time of year where they're looking to connect with friends and family from abroad," the mayor said.
"The emotions range definitely from concern, frustration, anger, a lot of confusion. You know, there are no answers. No one has any answers here."
Canada Post is not revealing how many of its employees are complying with its vaccine mandate, except that it is "the vast majority."
"[It] applies to all employees – those working in a Canada Post facility and those working remotely. Any employee who is not currently in compliance with the policy has been placed on leave without pay. Our Mandatory Vaccination Practice is the latest step in our ongoing commitment to keep our people, and the communities we serve, safe," a statement from the Crown corporation read.
There are more than 6,000 Canada Posts across the country.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.