Canada Post closures spark concern for Victoria, B.C., business owner, community

The owner of a Victoria pharmacy is dismayed that the postal service inside his store is shutting down.

A Victoria, B.C., pharmacy owner claims a decision to shut down the postal service in his store is unjustified and will hurt his business and community.

Alex Akhavan owns a Pharmasave in the Victoria West neighbourhood and has hosted a postal outlet in the space for 16 years. On Oct. 28, Canada Post will close it.

“If they have financial problems, that shouldn’t affect these types of outlets that generate revenue for them,” Akhavan said.

Akhavan says the postal outlet consistently earns over $300,000 annually, and he receives a $20,000 commission and the bonus of additional foot traffic, while covering the rent and staff wages.

“People with no vehicle, seniors, small businesses — they’re all going to be affected,” he said.

Akhavan shared his emails to and from Canada Post with CTV News. In one of them, a Canada Post employee said the closure is based on market demand, not on performance or cost cutting.

“The outlet is no longer required to support our needs in the area and is not sustainable over the longer term,” retail sales director Adam Derry wrote in an email, July 29.

“Increased competition and customer options have caused changes in our business, and these changes will continue to impact the retail landscape.”

Akhavan said he asked about the market analysis that was considered when choosing to shutter, but he didn’t get a direct answer.

In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson for the postal operator said it conducts extensive evaluations of its outlet network when making these decisions.

Canada Post said customers can use its downtown and Esquimalt outlets, both of which are roughly two kilometres away from Victoria West.

‘This isn’t just about mail’

The Victoria West Community Association (VWCA) said the closure doesn’t make sense in a busy neighbourhood.

“The current location is at the heart of our community. It’s a walkable distance for everyone, so closing it just makes it harder to get the services that we need close to home,” VWCA president Kelly Seagram said.

More than 8,000 people live in Victoria West, and it’s likely the population will expand significantly. In the coming years, it’s anticipated the neighbourhood will gain more than 2,000 residential units, Seagram said.

“If they can’t make it work in this very vibrant and growing community, I have real concern for the future of Canada Post as a whole,” she said.

CTV News has confirmed a postal outlet in Victoria’s Fairfield neighbourhood and another in Saanich’s Cadboro Bay neighbourhood are also closing.

“This isn’t just about mail. This is about supporting local hubs where people can get their needs met,” Seagram said.

Canada Post said its decision to exit Akhavan’s store is final.

“We just have to all voice our concern and contact our local MPs, contact whoever we can and try to force Canada Post to change (its) position,” Akhavan said.