WHEREAS Canada Post has established the use of Super Mail Boxes for the delivery of residential mail in communities; AND WHEREAS residents are reporting increased illegal access to the Super Mail Boxes resulting in the theft of mail which can also contribute to an increased risk of identity theft: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia call for Canada Post to investigate options for increased security of Super Mail Boxes and implement a solution to reduce illegal access and theft of mail from the Super Mail Boxes.
Ministry of Public Safety Solicitor General The theft of mail is a serious matter. When personal information is stolen, there is the risk of identification theft and its long term implications. Steps which can be taken to reduce the risk of theft include: - Retrieving mail daily. - Contacting Canada Post to put a hold on mail delivery if a person will be away on vacation. - Checking the security of personal mailboxes and reporting any problems to Canada Post. The Province encourages communities that are experiencing breaches of security to super mail boxes, to contact Canada Post and to report the loss of theft to their local police.
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure Communities Minister of State Transport As a Crown Corporation, Canada Post operates at arms length from the Government of Canada. The Minister of Transport, as minister responsible for Canada Post, determines the broad policy direction of the corporation, while respecting its operational autonomy in other matters, including those related to its policy the security of the mail. Under the Canada Post Corporation Act, Canada Post has an official federal investigative body called Security and Investigative Services. Postal inspectors investigate reported incidents of mail theft, damage to Canada Post property, fraud, mail-related criminal offences as well as information and identity theft. In addition to undertaking its own security investigations, Security and Investigation Services works with other organizations, including local and national police forces. While community mailboxes CMBs are a secure form of delivery, there have been cases of attempted theft. Canada Post has invested millions of dollars into mail equipment technology to prevent vandalism and mail theft and has been replacing more than 620,000 master locks on mail receptacles with new high-security locks. All newly deployed CMBs across the country are equipped with these new locks. In addition, Canada Post has introduced anti-pry kits for CMBs in some communities in British Columbia. In 2010, Canada Post installed 7,500 anti-pry devices in Vancouver, and in early 2011, it began installing another 6,000 devices in other high-risk areas. In May 2010, Canada Post installed anti-pry kits on CMBs in Pitt Meadows, which has significantly decreased the number of attempted break-ins. Canada Post has a close working relationship with the Surrey RCMP Combined Forces Identity Theft Team, which includes a postal inspector. By working with these authorities, the RCMP has been able to arrest several people involved in mail theft.
Canada Post Five years ago, in an effort to enhance mail security once items were delivered, we began to replace every lock on community mailboxes CMBs in British Columbia with a high-security lock. As of December 2010, the entire province has been converted to these locks. We have also developed and installed an anti-pry device on CMB master doors in high-risk areas. As of 2010, 5500 modules have been retrofitted with the device in very high-risk communities, and in 2011, we will be installing 20,000 more anti-pry kits in high-risk areas. The remaining modules will be converted within the next three years. As well, all new CMB modules will include the anti-pry device. Our corporate security, delivery planning and engineering teams are working with local authorities to anticipate threats and ensure the security of the mail. We continue to be proactive by installing and testing our equipment, and we have been successful with no reported incidents on the tested equipment.