Canada Post to Begin Phasing Out Door-to-Door Mail Delivery

Canada Post is initiating talks with 13 communities concerning the conversion of approximately 136,000 addresses from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes. This marks the first step in a broader plan to end home delivery for about 4 million addresses over the next five years.

This is the first step in a plan to end home delivery for about 4 million addresses over the next five years.

A community mailbox is a standalone unit with designated space for multiple residences. Currently, Canada Post serves 17.6 million addresses, with 75% already using some form of centralized delivery—such as community mailboxes, post office boxes, or delivery to apartments and condominiums. The government-owned corporation employs around 60,000 people.

Financial Background and Negotiations

The move comes as Canada Post contends with significant financial losses. In November, the corporation reported losses for the first nine months of 2025 exceeding CDN $1 billion (approximately US $73 million).

The process to end home delivery follows meetings with union officials. Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers will begin voting on Monday regarding new contract agreements. The union has been without a new contract since November 2023 and has staged two nationwide strikes and other disruptions during negotiations.

Implementation and Impact

Canada Post spokesman Jon Hamilton outlined the timeline and logistics of the change. The conversion process can take six to nine months from beginning to end, and changes will not happen immediately. The corporation will work with city planners and neighborhoods to determine locations for the new community mailboxes.

Eliminating home delivery would save Canada Post about CDN $400 million (US $291.96 million) annually.

Hamilton also addressed the impact on employees, stating that Canada Post would not lay off workers due to the delivery changes. He noted the plan would reduce the number of letter carriers, but that affected employees would have work elsewhere within the corporation.

Public Reaction

Some residents see the change as a practical necessity. Liane Beadon, a resident of North Vancouver, British Columbia, stated that losing home mail delivery would not bother her.

"I consider it a smart move to preserve mail delivery and keep costs low for Canadians," said Liane Beadon.