As the air gets crisper and festive decorations appear in stores and public spaces across Canada, it’s a sure sign that the holiday season is approaching. For Canada Post, this time of year marks the start of peak season. From October 30, 2023 to January 14, 2024, Canada Post is preparing for the surge of holiday cards and packages that will need to be mailed, and it is important that both senders and recipients understand what this period means for their mail.
During this holiday rush, mail and package volumes increase significantly as Canadians exchange holiday greetings, gifts and well-wishes with loved ones near and far. It’s a time when the spirit of giving and sharing is at its peak, and Canada Post plays a critical role in ensuring these feelings reach their destination.
The Grizzly Gazette contacted Canada Post to learn more about their peak season and how they plan to meet increased demand during this time. Lisa Liu from Media Relations responded with this helpful information:
“Canada Post rolls out its peak period plans in early November each year. To ensure we are delivering to Canadians, we have hired nearly 4,500 additional seasonal employees nationally for the 2022 holiday season and added 1,550 more vehicles to one of Canada’s largest fleets (nearly 15,000). We’ve also added parking and weekend deliveries. This helps us keep up with holiday delivery volumes, which is the busiest time of year for Canada Post employees. During the 2022 holiday season, our dedicated team had multiple occasions across the country where they delivered more than two million packages in one day.
For the 2023 holiday season, we are adding more staff, vehicles, aircraft and equipment and are also expanding weekend delivery. We have also added significant new parcel processing capacity in Toronto. This will impact Canadians and businesses across the country as most Canadian packages come from the Greater Toronto Area. We are also increasing capacity at our retail stores by extending opening hours at some post offices and adding pickup and drop-off locations.
As we enter the busiest shopping season of the year, we encourage our customers to take the time to research retailers online to see the availability of specific items and ensure they are not disappointed. We know how important the holiday season is to online shoppers and Canadian businesses – and we’re ready to offer them more during this special time of year.”
To ensure your Christmas cards and packages arrive in time for the holidays, it’s important to know Canada Post’s recommended shipping timelines. These deadlines vary depending on your destination and the type of service you choose. Here are some important dates to keep in mind for the 2023 holiday season:
· Local Delivery: For shipping within your area, the recommended shipping date for regular mail for both packages and cards is December 19th.
· Regional: Canada Post groups Canadian regions as Atlantic (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island), Central (Quebec and Ontario), Western (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario), Nunavut East , Nunavut West, Northwest Territories and Yukon. Regional mail refers to sending and receiving addresses that are located within the same region. The regional deadline for regular mail packages is December 14th to 19th and for cards December 18th.
· National: With national mail, it is important to send your items even earlier. The national deadline for regular mail packages is December 8-18 and for cards is December 15.
Canada Post also offers faster delivery options at higher rates, including Priority, Xpresspost and Expedited Parcel services. Visit canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/corporate-news/holiday-sending-guidelines.page for more information on the critical dates for these services.
The holidays are a time to spread joy and connect with loved ones. Canada Post plays an integral role in making this possible by delivering holiday cards and packages across the country. During peak season from October 30, 2023 to January 14, 2024, it is important to be aware of shipping deadlines, anticipate possible delays, and follow best practices for sending your holiday greetings and gifts. By planning ahead and using the services and resources provided by Canada Post, you can ensure your mail and packages reach their destination in time for the holidays.
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