Peter L.Smith
Peter L.Smith
WALTHAM – After announcing the closure of Waltham’s only postal outlet, located in Depanneur Waltham, at the end of August, owners Serge Chenier and Karine Caouette have renewed their contract with Canada Post; they had previously submitted their resignation due to a conflict with the organization regarding salary and income figures. The outlet will offer the same services as before, serving about 180 residents.
The owners’ resignation came in response to a dispute with Canada Post over the purchase of stamps. According to Chenier, he had been purchasing stamps from the neighbouring postal outlet in Davidson after receiving assurance this was acceptable. However, when the owners submitted their revenue figures to Canada Post, the organization refused to accept the amounts indicated, stating the stamps were not purchased from Canada Post’s retail office in Ottawa.
After negotiating and reaching an agreement, the owners are now able to purchase stamps from the Davidson location when necessary.
Although Chenier and Caouette have owned the Depanneur and postal outlet for five years, they claim this is the first time Canada Post has done a review.
Canada Post is supposed to do an annual review with outlet postmasters to discuss the previous year’s revenue and compile an action plan for the following year.
In a statement to the Pontiac Journal, Waltham Mayor Garry Marchand said the municipality had sent a letter of concern to Canada Post and spoke with Pontiac MNA Andre Fortin about the issue after the owners informed the municipality of the outlet’s imminent closure.
