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Local post offices not threatened, at the moment

For the moment, the Tlell post office is in the clear, despite 175 rural offices of comparable size having their hours reduced this year, according to Barb Lincoln, president of Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA)."Right now, we're receiving packages from Canada Post wanting to consult. Eventually, they're coming around. It's only a matter of time before everyone gets affected. There's nothing planned yet for Haida Gwaii offices, or we haven't heard about it," said Ms Lincoln.Post office hours are being cut with mandated three hour lunch breaks, later openings and earlier closings, and discontinued Saturday service, said a CPAA letter.Ms Lincoln pointed out that Tlell, which is a postmaster provided service, faced reductions to operating hours last year."That's the size of office they're targeting right now," she said.The CPAA letter said Canada Post is cutting service due to its dire financial state."The fact, though, is that for the past eighteen years, Canada Post has recorded a profit in every year but one - 2011. In 2012 they recorded a profit of $ 98 million," the letter said. "We're trying to be proactive, to let rural communities see what's happening. It's scary for us. It's a sign of community death if you lose your post office," said Ms Lincoln.