Mail delivery suspension an 'absolute nightmare,' say tenants at Thorncliffe Park apartment building

Tenants at a Thorncliffe Park apartment complex protested Friday against a Canada Post decision to deny them mail delivery for more than six weeks, because it says not enough residents are wearing masks in the building.

The tenants say they should not be unfairly punished due to a handful of people not adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols — and they're calling on the crown corporation to resume regular service.

"It has been an absolute nightmare not receiving mail," Syed Benazir, a building resident, told CBC Toronto.

In addition to the protest outside 43 Thorncliffe Park Dr. on Friday, about a dozen residents held an outreach event to distribute masks and hand sanitizer to everyone entering and leaving the building.

On Oct. 18, Canada Post suspended mail delivery to the building after deeming it unsafe, saying its mail carriers have to enter common areas where some residents are not wearing masks. 

As a result of the suspension, Canada Post has said residents can pick up their mail from its facility at 70 Wynford Dr., almost four kilometres away. That's about a 30-minute trip by public transit and up to 15 minutes by car. 

"It's not only far away, it's very inconvenient, especially for seniors," said Masood Alam, a resident of the building. "[The] timing is also very inconvenient from noon to 3 p.m. If I'm working during the day, I cannot go there."

Alam, who is also the chair of the building's residents' steering committee, says he's been pushing for a solution but has been unsuccessful so far. 

"Despite our best efforts to contact Canada Post, our building management Morguard Properties, area City Councillor and MP's office, the postal service delivery has not been restored," he said.

Benazir says this is the third time mail delivery has been "abruptly" suspended at the Thorncliffe building since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The only reason Canada Post gives is there's not 100 per cent mask compliance … Show me one building where there is 100 per cent compliance. We understand it is necessary; we understand it's important."

In February, Canada Post temporarily denied mail delivery to two other high-rise buildings in Toronto due to similar concerns over non-compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.

Benazir says the disruptions are disproportionately affecting seniors and people with mobility issues.

"It's totally unfair," he said.