A Canada Post courier in Regina is refusing to deliver the Epoch Times because it contains views he deems offensive.
Ramiro Sepulveda told CTV that the newspaper’s negative coverage of China and previous support for Donald Trump may increase hatred of Asians.
“There’s already been violence and hatred towards Asian communities in North American. Since [President Donald] Trump got into office and since COVID started exploding, everything’s been anti-China,” he said.
“That can rub people the wrong way with certain people, especially people that don’t know how to filter information.”
The Epoch Times is a U.S.-based newspaper founded by Chinese Americans who oppose the Communist Party of China. Its owners are practitioners of Falun Gong, a religious movement that is heavily persecuted in China.
The Epoch Times is available in print across Canada and publishes a diverse range of news and commentary.
Canada Post wrote in a statement that they are obligated to deliver all mail to the right customers, regardless of its content.
“Canada Post is obligated to deliver any mail that is properly prepared and paid for, unless it is considered non-mailable matter,” the statement reads.
“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. Any views we may have about the content do not change our obligation to deliver.”
Sepulveda told CTV that Canada Post should create a body to decide what content should be delivered.
The Epoch Times is often the target of criticism by the mainstream media in both the U.S. and Canada. In May, CBC was forced to issue a correction after claiming the Epoch Times was “racist” and promoted a conspiracy theory about the coronavirus.
