Open Letter to Canada Post Minister and CEO on closure of Chinatown post office

October 28, 2025

Hon. Joël Lightbound, P.C., M.P.
Minister Responsible for Canada Post
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Via email: [email protected]

Mr. Doug Ettinger
President and CEO, Canada Post
2701 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0B1
Via email: [email protected]

Dear Minister Lightbound, and Mr. Ettinger,

Open letter Re: Urgent Concerns Regarding the Closure of the 418 Main Street Post Office in
Vancouver on November 12th

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the decision to close the Canada Post office
located at 418 Main Street in Vancouver, effective November 12, 2025. This post office serves a
critical role in the lives of many residents in the community, particularly seniors, low-income
individuals, and members of the Chinese-speaking community who rely on it for their daily
postal and financial service needs.

The Main Street post office is more than a place to mail letters or pick up parcels—it is a trusted
and accessible hub for people who face barriers to mobility, language, and digital access. Many
of its regular customers are elderly residents who do not drive and who depend on this location
because it is within walking distance of their homes and community centres. Others are
newcomers or long-term residents with limited English proficiency who feel comfortable using
services in a familiar, culturally accessible environment.

The alternative post office locations blocks away are not truly accessible for many of these
residents. Distance that may seem negligible on a map becomes a serious obstacle for seniors
with mobility challenges or parents managing low incomes and limited transportation options.
The closure therefore raises serious equity and accessibility concerns—particularly given
Canada Post’s public service mandate to provide universal and equitable access to postal
services for all Canadians.

Last year, my riding lost another Canada Post office on Nanaimo Street. There has been a
hollowing out of postal service under the Liberal government.

I urge you, as the Minister and CEO responsible for Canada Post, to intervene and pause the
planned closure until meaningful consultation has been conducted with the affected
community. Canada Post must ensure that decisions of this nature are guided by equity,
inclusion, and accessibility principles—not only by operational or financial considerations.
I also request that your office provide a detailed explanation of the rationale for this closure and
an equity impact assessment outlining how the needs of vulnerable and marginalized residents
have been considered in this decision.

The Main Street post office has been part of the social and economic fabric of Vancouver’s
Downtown Eastside and Chinatown for decades. Closing it without a proper plan to ensure
equitable access to postal services would disproportionately harm those who are already
underserved. I strongly urge you to take immediate action to address this matter and protect
equitable access to essential services for all members of our community.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue. I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,
Jenny Kwan
Member of Parliament for Vancouver East

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