No cities stepping up to help fund Hamilton's Canada Post appeal
Hamilton sent 95 letters. Terry Whitehead is undeterred, saying the matter is just going before councils now
It's been a month and a half since the city asked nearly 100 municipalities for money to help it fight Canada Post's super mailbox plan in court. So far, Hamilton has received plenty of moral support but no cash.
Hamilton is taking Canada Post to appeals court over a bylaw dictating where the Crown corporation can put community mailboxes. Canada Post is installing them nationwide as it phases out urban door-to-door mail delivery. Other municipalities opposed to the plan have been watching Hamilton's actions with interest, but for those who have replied so far, that interest doesn't involve financial help.
The city argues that it should get input on where the mailboxes go since it controls its own roadsides. Canada Post says its federal mandate trumps the city's bylaw on the subject. Local Superior Court Justice Alan Whitten sided with Canada Post and struck down the bylaw in June.
Support but no cash
So city officials sent 96 letters on July 16 in the hopes that some other municipality would help with the appeal, which council voted 10-5 to pursue. The appeal will cost about $75,000.
"We have received plenty of positive words of support, but no money so far," said city spokesperson Mike Kirkopoulos.
The city mailed 75 mayors of individual municipalities, 14 to the mayors of Montreal borough councils and seven to municipal councillors. Recipients include Sudbury, Newmarket, Toronto, Regina and St. John's, Newfoundland.
- Hamilton will appeal Canada Post super mailbox court decision
- Saint John denies Hamilton's funding request in Canada Post fight
Saint John, NB councillors voted last week not to give money. Coun. John MacKenzie urged his fellow councillors to contribute, saying it impacts the city's control over who puts what on its streets.
"It's for a court case that's going to benefit all cities," he said. "It might be Hamilton today, it might be Saint John tomorrow."
Mayor Mel Norton disagreed.
"I don't have any interest in fighting any other city's battles," he said.
Not all support is financial. The Federation of Canada Municipalities will seek intervenor status in support of Hamilton's appeal. And Coun. Terry Whitehead, who represents Ward 8 in Hamilton, isn't discouraged.
With summer schedules, the request is just appearing before councils now, said Whitehead, who will speak at a city of London planning committee meeting this week. So most haven't had time to consider it.