Approximately 56,000 households in Calgary and Edmonton will soon need to collect their mail and packages from community mailboxes, as Canada Post continues its cost-cutting measures. The transition will occur between late 2026 and early 2027.
Calgary and Edmonton Affected
In Calgary, around 33,300 homes with postal codes starting with T3B, T3C, T3H, T3L, T3A, T3G, and T3K will be affected. The remaining homes are in Edmonton. This move is part of a broader plan to convert four million addresses from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes over five years.
Cost-Cutting Amid Losses
Canada Post cited significant cost savings as a primary reason for the change. Delivering to community mailboxes is substantially cheaper than door-to-door service. The corporation also emphasized increased security, as mail and parcels will be locked in secure boxes.
In November 2025, Canada Post reported a record pre-tax loss of $541 million, the largest quarterly loss in its history. The company has accumulated over $5 billion in losses since 2018 due to declining mail volumes.
Government Intervention
Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, called for modernization measures in September 2025. He stated that converting the remaining four million door-to-door addresses to community mailboxes could save nearly $400 million annually. Adjusting delivery standards for non-urgent mail to ground transport instead of air could save an additional $20 million per year.
Lightbound also announced the lifting of a moratorium on rural post office closures, which had been in place since 1994 and covered nearly 4,000 locations.
Five-Year Plan
In April 2026, after initial meetings with unions, Canada Post unveiled a five-year plan for community mailbox conversions and retail network modernization. Retail revenue has dropped 30% since 2021 as Canadians visit post offices less frequently.
The announcement affects 37 communities across Canada, totaling 485,000 addresses. So far, 136,000 addresses in 13 communities have already transitioned to community mailboxes.
