Residents in the Greater Toronto Area may soon need to pick up their mail as Canada Post intends to eliminate door-to-door delivery for nearly four million Canadians. For some individuals, this change represents more than just a minor hassle, according to a disability advocate.
Community mailboxes are set to take over from door-to-door delivery on November 16 for about 18,000 households in north Etobicoke (postal codes starting with M9V and M9W), stated Genevieve Joly, spokesperson for Canada Post.
This transition will also begin next year in parts of Ajax, Brampton, and Mississauga, she noted, with some areas in downtown Toronto and North York following suit by 2031.
Joly mentioned that hundreds of thousands of homes across the Greater Toronto Area, “basically anybody who has door-to-door right now,” will feel the impact of this change.
“Currently, 80 percent of Canadians already receive their mail through a community mailbox,” Joly added. “As part of our transformation plan, we’re exploring various ways to connect with Canadians where they are.”
Switching to community mailboxes is aimed at alleviating some financial difficulties faced by Canada Post. Joly explained that it “costs a lot less for [Canada Post] to deliver to,” while also being proven secure and dependable.
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However, David Lepofsky from the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance expressed concerns about how these service changes might affect seniors and people with disabilities. He pointed out that during winter months-when navigating snow and ice becomes an issue-this could be particularly challenging.
“What steps [is Canada Post] going to take to ensure that the path to the mailbox is actually accessible?” Lepofsky asked. “It sounds like they’re actually making things worse rather than making things better.”
The Crown corporation assured customers currently using door-to-door mail delivery that they will get prior notice before any alterations occur. People can check online for information regarding when their area might transition.
Delivery accommodations may still present challenges: advocate
Canada Post has an online delivery accommodation program developed using feedback from “disability experts” that’s been available for over ten years, according to Joly.
This program assists those facing mobility issues or other challenges by providing either weekly or seasonal deliveries directly to their doors.
Lepofsky criticized these weekly deliveries as being a “substantially inferior service” compared with daily service available through community boxes.
“That’s especially troubling if you’re waiting on a bill you need to pay or other urgent mail you want or need to respond to,” he said.
He also raised concerns about signing up for the program, stating people must justify why they require accommodations.
“That’s yet another bureaucratic barrier among many we face,” he remarked.
Joly responded that they’ve made efforts to simplify the process so people can apply online or via phone with a customer service agent or through mailed forms instead.
She indicated that different alternatives could be provided beyond home deliveries including easier access options at community mailboxes or special trays designed for easier retrieval of mail.
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