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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Last week, the federal government removed its signs from the downtown post office building - including from the parking lot, giving the impression the lot is now free for anyone to use.

Viola LeClair goes through the process of closing the post office - once she's done, it's a gamble as to whether or not she'll have room to get her vehicle out of the parking lot, due to unauthorized parkers. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

That's not the case, say postal workers still using the parking lot. Not only are people parking in their spots, but bingo players from the Elks Hall across the street from the post office have taken a fancy to the lot and are filling it to maximum capacity on nights when the game is in full swing - sometimes trapping in the employees' vehicles before their work day is done.

"Two of us have very large trucks with long boxes and normally you can get it out, but there have been times when people have parked along the railing that divides the two sides of the parking lot," said Lynda Lafrancois, an employee of the post office. This makes it impossible for the employees to leave.

"There have been a handful of times where we have literally had to go over to the Elks Hall and have them announce to get people to come out and move their vehicles," said Lafrancois.

Lafrancois said even before the signs came down it was a problem.

"In our Christmas season where we were open 'till seven, one employee could not get their vehicle out whatsoever, so she had to leave - actually I've had to do this myself - had to leave, catch a ride with somebody, and come back after bingo was finished."

Normally, a company could call and get the vehicles towed, but Lafrancois said they are usually left hanging out to dry by the current owner, the federal government.

The post office closes at 5:30 p.m., and employees are finished closing by quarter to six. By this time, anybody from the federal Department of Public Works who could make the call to tow vehicles are long gone from their offices.

Removal of parking stall signs is another sign of the transferral of ownership from the government to an unannounced buyer.

Jeanette F. Dotimas, regional communications officer in Edmonton for the Department of Public Works, was unable to shed much light on the situation.

"I can confirm that the sale has not yet been finalized, so I don't know if in anticipation of the sale being finalized that was done," Dotimas said in reference to the removal of the signs.

Tanya Hicks, an employee of the post office, said she had heard through the grapevine that the buyer is interested in keeping the post office and its workers there, though she did not know who the potential buyer was.

As far as she knows, Lynda Lafrancois said the current lease is still in effect and technically owned by the government of Canada - and that includes the parking lot.