The Germansen Landing post office northwest of Mackenzie is closed and faces an uncertain future.
Effective Aug. 23, the closure came after much speculation over the fate of continued availability of the service to the isolated rural community.
According to Barb Lincoln, Branch President of the Canada Postmasters and Assistants Association, the post office closure was done without any notice to the community or consultation with the CPAA.
"The community needs 30 days notice. They should have been notified," Lincoln said.
Since the closure, Germansen Landing residents will continue to collect their mail at a group mailbox in Germansen Landing but any other services, including retail counter service with parcel and registered mail pick-ups, stamp purchases and parcel mailings, have been relocated to Manson Creek which is
26 kilometres away.
"This 26 km drive is a considerable distance, over less than desirable terrain and treacherous in winter," said Carolyn Elliott, CPAA B.C. and Yukon vice-president. According to Elliott, Canada Post advised CPAA that they had reached out to an elected official regarding the decision to close.
Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Director Tom Greenaway said that he did speak with Canada Post in regards to the closure.
"The issue was that the post office did not have a postmaster available to work there. The position was posted but there weren't enough applicants," Greenaway said.
"We hope to have this position reposted and this has been referred to Canada Post."
For Lincoln, it's a matter of increased community outreach.
"This certainly isn't the smallest community post office to close. We've had smaller," Lincoln said.
"But the community needs to voice their concerns, even if it's just one or two people. This could make a huge difference."
Greenaway agrees that the public was not notified properly.
"Maybe someone would have applied had they known," Greenaway said.
"I don't think this is a done deal. The job needs to be reposted and I will continue to push this."
Canada Post did not comment after several attempts.
