Old post office site should be seniors housing, says MP
It’s time for the federal government to deliver.
The former post office building off Clarke Street in Port Moody is a perfect spot for seniors housing, according to Port Moody-Coquitlam MP Bonita Zarrillo.
During a recent parliamentary dustup between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, Zarrillo attempted to put the spotlight on 45 Mary St.
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“The housing crisis is hurting seniors in Port Moody,” she said. “The closed Canada Post office at 45 Mary St. is a good location for quality affordable homes for seniors.”
While Trudeau didn’t specifically mention the Port Moody post office, the Prime Minister said he was in favour of using federal sites, “like post office buildings and department of national defence properties,” to build affordable housing.
The registered owner of 45 Mary St. is the Canada Post Corporation, which has owned the land since 2015.
Port Moody’s general manager of community development Kate Zanon stated that the city was “encouraged” the federal government listed the land as surplus property.
There have been informal discussions about potentially using the site for housing. However, there has not yet been a formal submission, Zanon added.
During a budget debate in May, Zarrillo tried to jumpstart a conversation about 45 Mary St.
“How can I get some conversations going around this piece of land?” she asked. “I’m getting a bit of a runaround.”
Speaking in June, Zarrillo accused the Liberal government of failing to move forward.
“The Liberals have promised to build more affordable housing, but yet they continue to sit on their hands and drag their feet.”
The idea of seniors housing on the site has the support of the city and the community, “but the Liberals have yet to put a shovel in the ground,” she said.
In 2023, Port Moody was among the first group of 10 municipalities to have housing targets set by the province.
“We recognize that there are opportunities to diversify our housing stock with affordable and seniors housing, as well as accessible and family-friendly units,” Mayor Meghan Lahti stated at the time.
Port Moody approved a major upgrade to the post office building in 2013, Tri-City News reported.
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