Suspicious package scare leads to evacuation in Guelph

Employees evacuated from the Canada Post distribution centre on Woodlawn Road in Guelph gather in a nearby parking lot. (Chris Thomson/CTV Kitchener)

Several businesses in Guelph’s north end were evacuated Tuesday morning after a suspicious package was found at the Canada Post distribution centre on Woodlawn Road.

Guelph police spokesperson Scott Tracey said police were called to the scene around 8:15 a.m. Roads in the area were closed and Waterloo regional police’s bomb squad was brought in to assist.

By 11:30 a.m., police had determined the package did not pose a threat and the area reopened.

“The contents never presented a risk to the public, however it was packaged in a way that it could have been mistaken for an explosive and obviously caused concern for Canada Post staff,” Tracey said in an email.

Closure impacts drive tests

The incident disrupted operations at the nearby Drive Test Centre.

Friends Pushwinder and Sadwinder Singh travelled to Guelph from Toronto so Jatinder could take his G road test.

Pushwinder Singh (left) and Sadwinder Singh (right) travelled to Guelph from Toronto so Sadwinder could complete his Drive Test Tuesday, only to find roads closed due to a police investigation. (Chris Thomson/CTV Kitchener)

“When we went to the drive test, they told us that tests are not being processed because police have cordoned off this area,” Pushwinder said.

While Pushwinder was hopeful his friend could still get his licence Tuesday, Sadwinder was less optimistic.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen today,” he said.

Sadwinder had rented a car to take the test Tuesday and will now likely have to rebook his test and rent another one.

“It’s going to cost him,” Pushwinder said. “But safety is always first. If law enforcement has done something it’s because they’re concerned about our safety so I think we should support them.”