Updated: Regina seeing reduced mail delivery

REGINA – Absenteeism, coupled with a string of cold weather in Regina, has meant some neighbourhoods have not been receiving mail on a regular basis.

A Canada Post spokesperson says it does not have the manpower to ensure mail is regularly delivered.

“The weather factors, illness, vacation time that they’ve taken,” said Phil Legault.

Saskatchewan’s low unemployment rate is partly to blame.

“When we’re looking at hiring some short-term employees to help us with some relief, when our full-time employees can’t make it into their shift. That’s posing a challenge also,” said Legault.

When such situations happen, Canada Post’s mandate is to deliver mail at least every other day.

Residents in some new developments have another complaint as they have yet to receive any mail in their area.

Mari-anne Elliott just moved into a new area in North West Regina called Skyview. She says she has been told Canada Post will not be installing a community mailbox on her street until the spring.

“We expected to only go two blocks away to pick up our mail. Now we’re going half way across town,” said Elliott. “They told us that they don’t have enough temporary mailboxes. So now we have to go all the way across town to Albert Street.”

Canada Post could not confirm those details but Legault said the winter weather could make it difficult to install the mailboxes.