Canada Post suspends mail delivery due to ‘unsafe conditions’ on 20th

Canada Post has issued a notice to businesses in the 1500 Block of 20th Street West, citing the need for a “safety assessment” in the area “due to unsafe conditions.”

The notice, dated May 13, 2024, said the mail carrier wanted to ensure the safety of customers and delivery staff.

“Starting immediately, and for the duration of the assessment, please pick up your mail and parcel deliveries,” it read.

Those who received the letter, including Pleasant Hill Dental owner and operator Dr. Effie Kutsogiannis, must now pick up their mail at the Avenue H South depot between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. until further notice.

Kutsogiannis said it’s a huge inconvenience and restrictive because of her patient appointments, but there have been prior issues with getting her mail.

“I’ve had mail stolen out of my mailbox, but never disrupted like this,” she said.

Randy Pshebylo, executive director of the Riversdale Business Improvement District, said the amount of social disruption, encampments, and crime occurring in the area isn’t fair to businesses and residents.

He cited disturbance calls for the Riversdale BID in 2018 at 999, while at the end of 2023, they shot up to 2,536, adding that businesses can’t keep up with the garbage, the graffiti, and the encampments.

A homeless encampment in Saskatoon’s Pleasant Hill neighbourhood. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

“Someone has to account for why it’s being allowed to fester as it is,” he added, saying it was unfair when businesses have to apply for a permit for a table and chairs outside while elsewhere encampments often take over entire sidewalks.

“We need some equity here for business,” he said.

Kutsogiannis agreed, adding that the mail disruption is just the latest in a series of issues affecting her and others in the area.

In a statement, Valérie Chartrand, media relations spokesperson Canada Post, confirmed concerns with safely delivering mail to customers at three addresses on 20th Street West have been raised.

“We take the temporary suspension of mail delivery and the well-being of our employees very seriously,” she wrote. “Our goal is to always find a resolution as quickly as possible in these situations.”

Chartrand added that the area will be assessed regularly, and customers will be updated if mail delivery can resume.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include comment from Canada Post.