2 Canada Post workers in Regina suspended after refusing to deliver Epoch Times
'Readers are wise enough to judge for themselves,' says paper's publisher
Katie Nicholson, Jason Ho · CBC News · Posted: Jan 29, 2021
Canada Post temporarily suspended two of its letter carriers after they refused to deliver a free edition of the Epoch Times because of concerns about its coverage. 1:59
Two Canada Post workers in Regina were temporarily suspended earlier this month after they refused to deliver the latest sample edition of the Epoch Times.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1850377795971/
The head of the local CUPW union that represents postal workers said both mail carriers were escorted from the building when they informed their supervisors they were unwilling to deliver the publication. They were suspended without pay for three days.
According to its sample issue, the Epoch Times was created to "bring honest and uncensored news to people oppressed by deception and tyranny in communist China."
The paper sells subscriptions in dozens of countries and makes some content available free on its website, which, according to the paper, gets about 5.7 million readers per month in Canada. It occasionally mails out free, unsolicited sample editions through Canada Post as advertising mail.
The paper was founded in the U.S. in 2000 by Chinese-American followers of the Falun Gong spiritual practice, who have been persecuted by the Chinese government. In the past, it has broken stories about human rights abuses in China.
Epoch Times content runs the gamut from articles about health and wellness to science, politics and technology. But its main focus has been news and current affairs stories that are critical of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Regina mail carrier Ramiro Sepulveda was recently suspended for three days after he refused to deliver a free edition of the Epoch Times. Sepulveda says he objects to some of the paper's coverage and feels he shouldn't have to deliver it. (Kirk Fraser/CBC News)
In recent years, it has expanded its coverage of U.S. politics and gained traction among some supporters of former U.S. president Donald Trump by covering topics such as Spygate, the QAnon conspiracy theory and unfounded allegations of election fraud.
On its site, the paper describes itself as non-partisan and "independent of any influence from corporations, governments or political parties."
In its sample issue, the Epoch Times says it has a "reputation for independent, fact-based traditional journalism" and its goal is "to serve the public benefit and be truly responsible to society."
'I'm not for censorship'
Ramiro Sepulveda, one of the suspended postal workers, told CBC News he objects to the insinuations in some of the paper's past coverage of the origins of the coronavirus, which the paper calls "the CCP virus."
"I'm not for censorship. I'm not against freedom of speech," he said. "What my thing is, is there is no disclaimer stating that this was theory."
He says he went straight to his supervisor when he saw the free editions that were set to be delivered earlier this month.
"I said, 'That Epoch Times, I'm not delivering it. It goes against everything I believe in.'"
Regina mail carrier Linying Su refused to deliver the Epoch Times because she said she was concerned its coverage of the Chinese government and the coronavirus could add to anti-Asian sentiment. (Jin Liu)
The second worker, Linying Su, who was born in China, said she felt uncomfortable delivering the paper because she feared its coverage of the Chinese government could contribute to anti-Chinese and anti-Asian sentiment in Canada and misconceptions around the origins of the coronavirus.
"This is not just about Chinese Canadians; it's about all Asian Canadians," she told CBC News in a conversation through Facebook. "The unjustified discrimination against Chinese Canadians would turn to discrimination against all Asian Canadians….
"I may not be able to stop other people from delivering these papers, but I can stop myself from doing things that betray my own belief."
Other postal workers have objected to delivery
The Regina workers aren't the first postal workers to complain about the publication. In April 2020, some mail carriers in the Greater Toronto Area objected to having to deliver it, and their union local filed a request with the federal government asking for an interim order to stop delivery of the newspaper. That request was denied.
The national branch of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers says it is currently in discussions with Canada Post about this matter.
Federal government says Canada Post must deliver Epoch Times despite union objection
Canada Post said letter carriers are obligated to deliver any mail that is "properly prepared and paid for."
The union agrees, but William Johnson, president of the CUPW local in Regina, said there needs to be a better solution than suspension for workers who are uncomfortable delivering the publication.
"What I don't want to see is this happening. If this is going to be a publication that comes out every month — that we go through this process every month. That's not good for morale," Johnson said. "It's a really stressful time for the employees. And so I think there has to be some sort of alternative as to how we deal with this situation."
Canada Post said in an emailed statement to CBC News that it understands "this is a difficult situation."
"The courts have told Canada Post that its role is not to act as the censor of mail or to determine the extent of freedom of expression in Canada," it said. "This is an important distinction between Canada Post and private sector delivery companies."
Doesn't fit criteria of non-mailable matter
To refuse delivery, material would have to meet Canada Post's definition of "non-mailable matter," which includes items that are prohibited by law, such as illegal, obscene and fraudulent items.
Those who want to opt out of receiving the Epoch Times sample editions must opt out of all ad mail, including grocery and retail flyers and other promotional material.
Some Canadians who received unsolicited copy of Epoch Times upset by claim that China was behind virus
A spokesperson for Anita Anand, the minister in charge of Canada Post, said the minister "is actively reviewing the rules relating to the circulation of the Epoch Times."
One Ontario resident who wrote to her local MP to complain about the free edition after it turned up in her mailbox in Mississauga earlier this month said she supports such a review.
"I think it's important for politicians to really take a look at this and just say, 'Is this what we want a Crown corporation to be delivering?" said Pauline Dantas.
Dantas was told by the outreach co-ordinator for Gagan Sikand, the Liberal MP for Mississauga-Streetsville, that the content of Epoch Times does not meet the criteria of non-mailable matter.
"Anyone concerned with the contents of the Epoch Times can contact the publisher directly, file a complaint through the appropriate institutions or place the item in the recycling box," Sarah Hleyhel wrote in an email to Dantas.
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