Community Mailboxes: Protecting our Public Space - by Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin

There must be adequate waste receptacles, and measures need to be taken to manage traffic and mitigate litter. There will be considerable budget implications, and efforts must be made to recoup those costs from Canada Post so that residents are not paying more for reduced service. This motion seeks to ensure that these priorities and local feedback are reflected as the City works with Canada Post to implement this program, and to provide enhanced transparency and accountability. Reason for Urgency: Canada Post has announced that it is proceeding with community boxes to replace door-to-door delivery in some Toronto postal codes.

the number and location of current residential and business mailboxes that will be affected and the number and location of community mailboxes that will be installed; b. the specific timelines for implementation; c. the design options for community mailboxes being considered by Canada Post, including any modifications to the standard mailbox format; d. Canada Post's siting guidelines and performance standards for assessing site feasibility; e. a detailed communications plan to inform Toronto residents about the conversion to community mailboxes; and f. a plan for addressing barriers to accessing postal services, including social isolation, literacy, linguistic, cognitive and mobility barriers and ensuring equitable outcomes for all Torontonians. 2. City Council amend its previous decision on Item 2025.MM33.45 by adding the following new parts: 1.City Council request the City Manager to engage in advocacy for continued door-to-door delivery to the maximum extent possible, particularly for areas where community mailboxes are not feasible, including in postal codes where community mailboxes have already been announced. 2. City Council request the City Manager to report to City Council no later than the second quarter of 2026 on the potential costs associated with the implementation and operation of community mailboxes, and the progress of negotiations to recover these costs from Canada Post, including costs related to: a. community mailbox siting and installation; b. street lighting; c. traffic management; d. snow clearing; and e. litter collection.