After trying to initiate a dialogue with Canada Post, the Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, does not rule out the possibility of taking legal action against the state-owned company, which she accuses of contributing to “waste” by continuing to distribute the Publisac on the territory of the metropolis.
The image is strong: Ms. Plante held a press briefing Thursday morning in front of a truck full of bundles of paper consisting mainly of Publisac brand flyers totaling at least 16 tons, according to her estimate.
“We are here to show Montrealers, but above all to show Canada Post and the federal government what it means to all the Publisacs that are not wanted in homes and that end up in treatment centers. [des matières recyclables] said Ms. Plante during a popular media event held in a park in the borough of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
As of May 2023, new Montreal regulations will limit the distribution of flyers, such as the Publisac, to people who explicitly request them. However, “82% of Montrealers said they are against the Publisac and there, they will continue to receive it anyway,” lamented Ms. Plante Thursday.
In response to this regulation, several large companies have indeed turned to Canada Post so that the Publisac continues to be distributed, within the framework of pilot projects, in various boroughs of Montreal, including Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame -of-grace. Appalled by this situation, Ms. Plante recently sent a letter to Canada Post and the federal government asking them to respect municipal regulations.
“Canada Post made a business decision by deciding that the Publisac can be distributed by Canada Post letter carriers,” denounces the mayor. And we also challenged the federal government, saying that our regulations are valid. The autonomy of cities is important. Citizens have spoken: they want us to act for the planet and reduce it at source. So the model based on waste, we don’t want it in Montreal. »
“A battle” in sight
However, in response to his request, Canada Post stated that it was required by law to distribute the Publisac. An analysis that the City rejects, which affirms rather that it is the letters and the parcels intended for precise addresses which must be distributed by the company of State, and not circulars.
“They have an obligation to deliver letters because they have an address. So unless each Publisac has an address, they don’t have to [le distribuer] “, argued the mayor. The latter therefore believes that financial reasons are hidden in Canada Post’s refusal to collaborate with the City in this file.
Asked whether the City could go to court to try to force Canada Post’s hand, Ms. Plante did not rule out this option. The City has already consulted its legal department in this matter. “It doesn’t hold up [la position de Postes Canada]. So we will continue to fight. It’s obvious. »
More details will follow.