Canada Post worker in Toronto dies after contracting COVID-19

A Canada Post worker in Toronto has died after contracting COVID-19.

Jan Simpson, the National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), announced the employee’s death in a statement issued on April 11.

“Today is a difficult day for all postal workers and CUPW members. Last night, we learned that one of our members in Toronto has died of COVID-19,” Simpson wrote.

“I share my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the member’s family, friends, and coworkers, and respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

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Phil Legault, a media relations spokesperson for Canada Post, confirmed to Daily Hive that the employee had worked at the company’s South Central Letter Processing Plant.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to the family as they mourn the loss,” Legault said. “We are focused on supporting our employees who have lost a colleague.”

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at the facility, located on Eastern Avenue in Leslieville, on April 2.

Thirteen staff members tested positive for the virus in a two-week period, which triggered rapid testing at the plant.

“Canada Post has advised the Union that they are respecting all Toronto Public Health guidelines,” Simpson said.

“But we will continue to gather information and take all necessary actions to make sure Canada Post is prioritizing the health and safety of members. We will accept nothing less.”

This is the second Canada Post employee to die of COVID-19 this year. In January, a worker died following an outbreak at a Mississauga facility.

To date, Toronto has seen 124,234 COVID-19 cases and 2,862 virus-related deaths.