Community mailboxes, which will replace door-to-door delivery in Campbell River, will be going up within the next couple of months.
Canada Post told city council in an email July 6 that residents will soon receive a letter notifying them about their new boxes.
“Customers should very soon start seeing the installation of their community mailbox that will serve their household,” wrote Gilles Chagnon, manager of municipal engagement for Canada Post, in the email.
He said that mail keys will also soon be on the way.
“In addition, clients should soon be receiving a letter which will inform them how to receive their keys.”
The letter will explain that the keys will be delivered to each person’s home, or, if they prefer, the post office.
The letter also provides a number for seniors to call if they have concerns about getting to their community mailbox.
“Canada Post is committed to ensuring that everyone can access the postal service,” Chagnon said.
“You will note that the letter includes a toll free number to call if the customer feels he or she has significant mobility issues and lacks alternatives to access the community mailbox.”
The number to call is: 1-844-454-3009.
Canada Post is installing roughly 270 community mailboxes around the city, which will effectively put an end to home mail delivery to 8,543 Campbell River households as of this September.
The move is part of the corporation’s plan to completely phase out door-to-door delivery across the entire country.
Chagnon told city council in March that home delivery is no longer financially sustainable.
He said Canadians mailed 1.2 billion fewer pieces of mail in 2013 than they did in 2006 and Canada Post delivered 214 million fewer pieces of regular mail last year than in 2013.
The corporation lost $125 million in 2013 but made a profit of $194 million in 2014.
The corporation credits last year’s financial success to an increase in parcels shipped, higher stamp prices and reduced employee benefit costs.