The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, one of the nation's largest indigenous groups, wants federal laws modified by Parliament to allow police, postal inspectors, or First Nations constables to open letters during transit. . Canada Post .The Assembly said that letter mail is a significant source of narcotics..“The Assembly is aware opioids and other forms of contraband can be transported through the postal service due to a legislative gap that prevents police from lawfully obtaining judicial authorization to search and seize packages sent through Canada Post,” the Assembly wrote in a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee..“Organized criminal groups can exploit this gap with high profitability and relatively low risk and effort, especially in northern communities where postal shipments have become the most common method of distribution for illegal substances.”.According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the group represents First Nations, who comprise more than a tenth of Manitoba’s population, some 151,000 people, it said. Drugs by mail have had “devastating effects” in remote hamlets, wrote the Assembly..Postal inspectors in 2021 intercepted 3,457 shipments of contraband by mail, Canada Post Corporation said in a 2022 submission to the Commons Government Operations committee. .“Of the 3,457 items detected, 2,200 items were destined for Indigenous and northern communities,” the equivalent of 64%, said the Assembly..The Canada Post Corporation Act prohibits police from intercepting mail during transit. While postal inspectors can hold suspicious parcels, letters weighing less than 30 grams are exempt. After delivering suspicious mail, it is usually marked for investigation..The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs passed a resolution on Oct. 25, requesting federal powers for First Nations constables to “search and seize mail from Canada Post” and private couriers..“First Nations have a right to self-determination and their own First Nations laws should be respected and upheld,” wrote the Assembly..During the 2018 Senate Public Safety committee hearings, the RCMP acknowledged that drug shipments through the mail were increasingly common..“Narcotics trafficking by mail is certainly a growing problem,” testified Superintendent Yves Goupil. .“It’s not just cannabis. Trafficking in fentanyl is a huge concern for us.”.Attorney General David Lametti stated he was “open to looking at” amendments to the Act that would enable postal inspectors to open suspicious letters. However, no amendments have been introduced..“I share those concerns as well as a general desire to make sure that our legitimate systems of communication aren’t being used for illegal purposes, especially one as tragic as trafficking fentanyl,” said Lametti.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, one of the nation's largest indigenous groups, wants federal laws modified by Parliament to allow police, postal inspectors, or First Nations constables to open letters during transit. . Canada Post .The Assembly said that letter mail is a significant source of narcotics..“The Assembly is aware opioids and other forms of contraband can be transported through the postal service due to a legislative gap that prevents police from lawfully obtaining judicial authorization to search and seize packages sent through Canada Post,” the Assembly wrote in a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee..“Organized criminal groups can exploit this gap with high profitability and relatively low risk and effort, especially in northern communities where postal shipments have become the most common method of distribution for illegal substances.”.According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the group represents First Nations, who comprise more than a tenth of Manitoba’s population, some 151,000 people, it said. Drugs by mail have had “devastating effects” in remote hamlets, wrote the Assembly..Postal inspectors in 2021 intercepted 3,457 shipments of contraband by mail, Canada Post Corporation said in a 2022 submission to the Commons Government Operations committee. .“Of the 3,457 items detected, 2,200 items were destined for Indigenous and northern communities,” the equivalent of 64%, said the Assembly..The Canada Post Corporation Act prohibits police from intercepting mail during transit. While postal inspectors can hold suspicious parcels, letters weighing less than 30 grams are exempt. After delivering suspicious mail, it is usually marked for investigation..The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs passed a resolution on Oct. 25, requesting federal powers for First Nations constables to “search and seize mail from Canada Post” and private couriers..“First Nations have a right to self-determination and their own First Nations laws should be respected and upheld,” wrote the Assembly..During the 2018 Senate Public Safety committee hearings, the RCMP acknowledged that drug shipments through the mail were increasingly common..“Narcotics trafficking by mail is certainly a growing problem,” testified Superintendent Yves Goupil. .“It’s not just cannabis. Trafficking in fentanyl is a huge concern for us.”.Attorney General David Lametti stated he was “open to looking at” amendments to the Act that would enable postal inspectors to open suspicious letters. However, no amendments have been introduced..“I share those concerns as well as a general desire to make sure that our legitimate systems of communication aren’t being used for illegal purposes, especially one as tragic as trafficking fentanyl,” said Lametti.
