Canada Post targeted in Quebec class action lawsuit over community mailboxes

A class action suit has been filed in Montreal on behalf ofQuebecerswho have had a Canada Post community mailbox installed on or near their property.

John Benizri, who lives on Forsythe Street in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, is the lead plaintiff in the suit.

His lawyer Barbara Villegas says the box was installed near his home last May without properconsultation.

"When they came to install the community mailbox, they didn't ask if it was OK to put it in his property," Villegas told CBC."It was imposed."

The lawsuit claims Benizri has suffered "increased noise, traffic, aesthetic displeasures, safetyissues and loss of privacy" as a result of the new mailbox.

The lawsuitsayshis family "isoften disrupted at unreasonable hours" by idling cars and loud music. It also says junk mail is sometimes left behind on the lawn.

Canada Post declined to comment, saying the case is before the courts.

This isn't the only Montreal legal battle underway against the postal service.

The city itselfis also involved in a federal court challenge.

It will be piggybacking on a current case launched by groupsrepresenting seniors, people with disabilities andpostal employees.

Last month, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderretook a jackhammer to theconcrete slab foundation ofa community mailbox inl'Anse--l'Orme nature park to protest what he called a lack of consultation on the issue.