Residents in parts of the Okanagan Valley including Oliver and Osoyoos didn’t get their mail delivered on at least two days this week due to poor air quality as a result of ongoing wildfires.
Oliver saw its mail delivery suspended from Wednesday while Osoyoos and area residents didn’t get mail delivery from Thursday.
Canada Post issued a ‘Red’ service delivery alert for Kaleden, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, and Osoyoos, meaning that delivery service is suspended.
“Due to continued poor air quality in the Okanagan Valley, caused by smoke from wildfires,” the postal service said. “The safety of our employees is our number one priority. We continue to assess the situation and delivery will resume once it is deemed safe to do so.”
A Canada Post spokesperson told the Times-Chronicle that the situation is assessed every day and is based on Environment Canada air quality measurements alongside local assessments including a local visual assessment each morning by each branch’s joint health and safety committee.
Numerous residents of both Oliver and Osoyoos have expressed annoyance at what they feel is the lack of communication from Canada Post over the service suspensions. The Times-Chronicle has fielded dozens of phone calls and walk-ins complaining they received no information on the service disruptions from Canada Post.
For its part, Canada Post says it has put the word out on social media alongside a post on its website.
