Live updates | Canada Post says green light to end door-to-door deliveries can help fix its finances

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A Canada Post spokesperson said that the government’s announcement will give the Crown corporation the changes needed to “chart a strong, financially sustainable path forward.”

Canada Post president and CEO Doug Ettinger wrote in a statement that the corporation takes its responsibility seriously, and “will work closely with the government and our employees to move with urgency and implement the necessary changes in a thoughtful manner.”

“Our goal is to ensure that a strong, affordable, Canadian-made, Canadian-run delivery provider supports the needs of today’s economy and delivers to every community across the country,” he added.

The current standard for mail delivery is three to four days, but it would be expanded to three to seven days based on volume, according to the government's technical briefing.

Another detail: Canada Post has a program that lets people register online to receive letter mail at home if they can't get to a community mailbox for whatever reason.

NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice, the party’s labour critic, has also weighed in. He said the Carney government “wants to realize the dream of Stephen Harper with community boxes everywhere and cuts for our rural populations.”

“And in the cities it’s going to be a mess,” he said on his way into question period, suggesting there is nowhere to put more community boxes.

Christine Normandin, the party’s house leader, accused the government of “slipshod” and “hastily improvised” reforms that overlook thousands of Quebecers.

Speaking during question period in the House of Commons, she also criticized the end to the moratorium on closing rural post offices. She said the government should not cut back on service in rural areas and called on them to ensure Quebecers in those areas aren’t abandoned.

Minister Lightbound responded saying the government is committed to ensuring all Canadians in remote areas have access to Canada Post.

The small business community, on the other hand, said today’s announcement is a positive step toward making necessary changes, but they remain concerned about the lack of a deal between Canada Post and its union.

“The union’s most recent job action banning flyers was another blow to small businesses. At this critical time of year, the last thing small businesses can afford is another strike,” said Dan Kelly, president at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

The federation urged Ottawa to temporarily make Canada Post an essential service to prevent another labour disruption.

There's also concern some Canadians might feel changes more deeply. Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, a seniors’ advocacy organization, said vulnerable Canadians mustn't be left behind. She was particularly concerned about particular seniors, people with disabilities and people who don’t have bank accounts.

She said governments at the provincial and federal level need to take extra steps to be sure “critical funds” like Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, and Canada Pension Plan payments are still delivered as quickly as possible.

"We understand that while times do change, not everyone changes with them as quickly,” Watts said.

I'm another reporter on the business desk. I just spoke with Mark Lubinski, president of the Toronto Local Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

“It's a bombshell,” he said, adding he felt “anger, dissatisfied, disappointed, disillusioned.”

He said workers were expecting a contract offer from Canada Post, not what he described as surprising and devastating news.

“I personally did not think the government was going to do an announcement like this because it is not what the Canadian public wants or needs,” said Lubinski.

He said he believes that the union will fight Ottawa’s decision.

Canada Post was designed to be financially self-sufficient. For years, its operations were funded by the revenue from its own products and services, like selling stamps.

It wasn’t meant to receive taxpayer dollars to operate.

In recent annual reports, Canada Post has been highlighting two stats squeezing the organization: There are more addresses to reach and less mail to deliver.

In its latest annual report for 2024, there were 17.6 million addresses, marking a 6.7 per cent increase from five years ago. Meanwhile, 113 pieces of mail were delivered per household by the Crown corporation, a 32.7 per cent drop in the same time period.

The carrier said it is an “unsustainable” situation.

This is not the first time the end of door-to-door mail delivery has been considered in Canada.

The former Conservative government under Stephen Harper moved to end door-to-door delivery and bring in new community mailboxes for five million Canadian addresses.

But the plan met massive public outcry and even became a campaign issue.

During the 2015 election the Liberals under Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to "save home mail delivery."

After forming government, Trudeau clarified that Canadians who have already been moved to community mailboxes wouldn't be getting their home delivery service back.

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