Canada Post begins transition from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes

Canada Post says it has begun preliminary work to phase out most door-to-door mail delivery, starting consultations with unions and communities as part of a multi-year transition.

According to a Canada Post news release, the Crown corporation plans to convert approximately four million addresses to community mailboxes over the next five years. The change will be rolled out in stages, with different regions shifting to centralized mail delivery each year.

The corporation says discussions are underway with 13 communities across the country, including Ottawa and Winnipeg. The first phase is expected to affect about 136,000 addresses, with conversions planned for late 2026 and early 2027.

Canada Post also says it is reviewing its retail network as it considers closing some urban and suburban post offices in areas it describes as over-served. No specific locations or timelines for closures have been confirmed.

The transition follows a federal decision in 2025 to lift a long-standing moratorium on rural post office closures. That move prompted concerns from some communities about continued access to postal services, particularly in remote areas where private courier options may be limited.