Canada Post to phase out door-to-door delivery for millions of addresses

Canada Post says it will convert roughly four million addresses from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes over the next five years as part of a broader effort to modernize its operations and restore financial sustainability.

The Crown corporation said the shift marks a “turning point” as it works to meet changing customer needs while avoiding becoming “a recurring burden on taxpayers.”

The transition will begin with about 136,000 addresses in 13 communities across the country, including Ottawa, Etobicoke, Winnipeg and several municipalities in British Columbia, with conversions expected to start in late 2026 and early 2027.

Canada Post said nearly three-quarters of Canadian addresses already receive mail through centralized delivery, and community mailboxes have been part of its network for more than 40 years.

The move is one of two key initiatives underway, alongside a modernization of its retail network, which has seen a 30 per cent drop in revenue since 2021 as fewer customers visit post offices.

“Canada Post is transforming to restore and renew the country’s postal service, and that work is now underway,” the corporation said in the release.

It added the changes will “strengthen the postal service, allow it to be a better partner for businesses, enable national commerce, and help it meet its dual mandate of delivering for all Canadians without being a recurring burden on taxpayers.”

The corporation said it will consult with communities as it identifies locations for community mailboxes and will notify residents ahead of any changes.

It also said accommodations will remain available for customers with accessibility needs, including modified mailbox features or, in some cases, continued home delivery.

Retail modernization efforts will focus first on urban and suburban areas where services are considered overextended, while maintaining access in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Canada Post said it will continue to provide updates to customers, employees and stakeholders as the transformation progresses.