Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: Canada Post has played the Grinch in forcing Izzy McQueen into retirement

Nov 27, 2020 | 10:37 AM

IZZY McQUEEN has a lot more time on her hands these days.

Izzy is one of the Kamloops Blazers’ most ardent boosters, but is more well-known in Kamloops as Santa’s most diligent local helper.

Inundated with thousands of letters from Canadian children every year, Santa entrusts Canada Post and helpers like Izzy with the task of responding to those requests, allowing him plenty of time to focus on supervising elves and shoveling up the presents left by generous reindeer.

For Izzy, this would have been the 35th year of deciphering the scrawl of Kamloops children on behalf of Santa.

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That means in recent years she has undoubtedly been responding to the children of the children to whom she wrote when she first took on the task in 1985.

The foul beast that is 2020, unfortunately, had other plans.

Izzy was told by Canada Post earlier this year that her services as Santa’s Kamloops helper were no longer required.

The job is being taken over by the Canada Post Heritage Club, a nationwide organization of retired posties.

Izzy is a good friend to CFJC. When she told us what had happened, how the organization she had partnered with for 34 years had thrown her out like so much junk mail, we could tell she was hurt. And we were upset.

Certainly, the Crown corporation must have done this without consulting Santa.

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Depriving an 88-year-old woman the joy of connecting with children every Christmas season seems particularly Grinch-like.

And Izzy is still more than up to the task. Her mind is sharp, her penmanship is clear and her energy is high.

If handing Santa’s correspondence over to the Heritage Club results in more children across Canada receiving letters back, so be it.

But surely exceptions can be made in communities where Santa’s helper is as much of an institution as Santa himself.

Bah humbug, Canada Post. Return this decision to sender.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.