Canada Post to expand community mailboxes to 56,000 more addresses in Edmonton and Calgary

Canada Post says it will expand community mailbox service to an additional 56,000 addresses across Edmonton and Calgary beginning next year as the Crown corporation continues restructuring efforts aimed at reducing costs.

The corporation has not yet determined which communities will transition away from door-to-door delivery by 2027. Some mature Edmonton neighbourhoods, including King Edward Park, still receive mail directly at their homes.

Daniel Copeland is among those with questions about the change.

Copeland said he already tries to limit the amount of physical mail delivered to his home and has placed a sticker on his mailbox asking carriers not to leave unaddressed advertising material.

“It just gets jammed full with stuff. If say I’m away working, now I’ve got a mailbox packed full of stuff I don’t even need. Most of those you can get now emailed to you,” said Daniel Copeland.

Copeland said he has concerns about security and the potential impact on postal workers.

“For the people that have them, my experience from them is a lot of break in and theft in them, they’re having problems with that. What does it cost? Is it going to take jobs away from postal workers too? I try to get as little mail delivered as possible anyway,” said Copeland.

Canada Post says the mailboxes are secure and equipped with locks on each compartment.

Neighbour Cynthia Orwaard said she would not mind making the trip to a community mailbox each day.

“When I lived on an acreage it was at the end of the road, so that was further but I was used to walking anyway with my dog… no problem,” said Cynthia Orwaard.

Orwaard said changes may be necessary if Canada Post is to remain financially sustainable.

“Otherwise we’re going to have no postal service if we don’t save some money and this is one way of doing that,” said Orwaard.

She also sees a potential health benefit.

“It’s a reason to go somewhere and to walk,” said Orwaard.

Even Copeland acknowledged there could be an upside.

“I should probably walk more anyway…” said Copeland.

The expansion follows postal worker strikes in 2024 and 2025, which prompted Canada Post to review its operations and look for ways to reduce costs while maintaining service.