Canada Post adjusts holiday parcel shipping deadlines in response to unprecedented demand

As Canada Post responds to the full impact of the changes Canadians are making in response to safety and travel restrictions, the organization is working hard to safely deliver the pre-Christmas surge. Not only are Canadians shopping online in record numbers for gifts and other items, the company's also seen a huge influx of customers at post offices shipping gifts to replace their traditional holiday visits.

We are working around the clock to safely deliver this holiday season, but you may encounter lineups in our retail locations.

In the spirit of the season, thank you for staying patient and keeping the post office friendly. pic.twitter.com/UMJprWmBVP

— Canada Post (@canadapostcorp) December 10, 2020

As a result, Canada Post is adjusting our holiday parcel shipping deadlines within Canada and asking Canadians to do their shipping and online shopping as soon as possible this week. Responding to safely process and deliver Canada Post began ramping up early this peak holiday season to respond to the expected demand and the need to maintain important safety measures in everything we do. Our plants have been operating around the clock, processing record volumes which then go out for delivery each day.

Canada Post has added more than 4,000 seasonal employees, increased our fleet by more than 1,000 vehicles, worked with commercial customers to manage the flow of parcels and encouraged Canadians to shop and ship as early as possible, beginning in early October.

This weekend the company delivered 1.1 million parcels across the country and expect heavy deliveries to continue through this week and next. Even with processing and delivery moving well with additional resources, there is a limit to what the organization can safely process and deliver. Customers should expect delays. The company says please track your items to follow their progress as they work hard to deliver in a timely fashion. 

Revised holiday parcel shipping dates. 

Canada Post says it understands the importance of the items they are currently processing and delivering in record numbers and thank Canadians for the patience they have shown us this year. Canada Post remains committed to reliable and timely service and have revised the following shipping guidelines to help them safely deliver the pre-Christmas parcel surge. Deadlines for mail remain unchanged. As a reminder, on-time delivery guarantees have been suspended since March 18, 2020 due to the unique circumstances Post is operating in this year.

Photo courtesy of Istock.