EDMONTON, CANADA – Postal workers could start reporting potholes, messy yards and burned out street lights as part of a new City of Edmonton pilot project.

Council’s community services committee voted Monday to move forward with a plan to have Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) employees make reports using the city’s 311 app.

Council wrote to Canada Post in June expressing concerns with its plan to end door-to-door delivery, and will send another letter to CEO Deepak Chopra stating that the city is willing to explore the expansion of roles for letter carriers.

CUPW put forth numerous proposals of added services, including selling bus passes and pet licences at doors and providing wellness checks on people who have trouble leaving home.

Council expressed a willingness to work with CUPW on more projects pending the approval of Canada Post, though councillors were skeptical that the Crown corporation will soften its positions without a strong financial incentive.

Coun. Ben Henderson supported the plan, though he worried that it comes too late.

“I don’t want to give in to the idea that we’re going to lose our letter carriers, but I think that’s an uphill battle,” he said.

Edmonton postal workers may sell bus passes, report potholes in pilot project