Dear Supporters,

Our fight to save 1117 Queen West and keep Public Land in Public Hands continues. 

We are in the midst of an election and our goal is to keep this important issue on the minds of not just our local politicians, but also to spread the word to all those affected by the sell-offs of Canada Post lands without community consultation or benefit.  

We have learned that the Canada Post Act, which governs Canada Post Corp., allows for the sale of public assets without community involvement or need to be taken into account. This means that any Canada Post-owned property can be sold to the highest bidder, instead of being used for community benefit - like much-needed affordable housing, public libraries or community centres, or space for local arts and culture. It also means the buildings can be sold off without any consideration to national heritage value. 

Communities across the country are in the midst of a housing crisis. During the pandemic, we have all come to use our public spaces in ways we didn’t previously. Public space is more important than ever.

For that reason, we are calling upon the next-elected Federal Government to amend the Canada Post Act in order to ensure there is public-benefit built into any sale of Canada Post land. This would be similar to legislation that already mandates affordable housing building into the sale of federal property through the Federal Lands Initiative. 

We ask our supporters to write to your local candidate and inform them that you are engaged on this important issue! We also ask you to write Ms. Anita Anand, current Federal Minister responsible for Canada Post. 

Thank you for your support.

Please follow us on social media. Instagram: @wqwcommunitypost

Find out who is running for a seat in your riding. 

Go to: https://www.elections.ca/home.aspx and enter your postal code. Then click “Who are the candidates in my electoral district?”. 

Find out how to contact your current MP:

Go to: http://www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members To find your MP, enter your postal code.

A Sample Email is provided for you, below. You can copy and paste this email, or make it your own.

Send to your local Candidates; to Ms. Anand (current Minister Responsible for Canada Post).

Email: Anita Anand: Anita.Anand@parl.gc.ca 

Cc: Your local Candidates (example for Davenport): 

Alejandra Bravo, NDP Candidate for Davenport: alejandra@bravodavenport.ca                                                              Julie Dzerowicz, MP for Davenport: Julie.Dzerowicz@parl.gc.ca              Jenny Kalimbet, Conservative Candidate for Davenport: info@jenny4davenport.ca                                                                  (Please see the above link for others)

Subject Line: Canada Post Corp Lands for Public Use! 

Dear Anita Anand, Minister Responsible for Canada Post,

I write this email to express my concern over the sale of land owned by Canada Post Corp., without public consultation nor a mandated public-interest component. 

I have learned that by way of the Canada Post Act, Canada Post does not have to take community interest in mind when selling their property. This is in contrast to other federally-owned public land that must include an affordable housing component in any agreement of purchase and sale, for example. It comes at a time when Canadians are experiencing an affordable housing shortage, and during the pandemic when we have come to use and depend on public spaces more than ever.

This issue has been brought to my attention through the pending sale of the heritage building at 1117 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, which operated as a Canada Post office, serving this community for decades, and is now being sold by Canada Post. The sale is occurring despite the building’s heritage status and without consultation with the local community that is known for its arts and culture, but has lost significant arts space over the years.

That said, I know that this issue has affected many communities throughout Canada, both small and large. Canadians have lost their local post office and they have also lost an opportunity to have additional affordable housing or public community space in their neighbourhoods. I believe the sale of public land without direct benefit to the community affected should be stopped and that this is a national issue.

I ask for your commitment that if elected your Government will take action and amend the Canada Post Act to ensure community benefit is part of any consideration for purchase of Canada Post property - public property.  

Sincerely,

Name and Postal Code