OTTAWA — Canada Post will reduce the frequency of door-to-door mail delivery as part of efforts to improve its financial situation, according to Public Works and Procurement Minister Joel Lightbound. The announcement was made during a press conference on Thursday, where Lightbound stated that the federal government will implement recommendations from the Industrial Inquiry Commission’s report on Canada Post.

The changes will adjust mail delivery standards, moving from daily service to two or three days a week. This shift is expected to increase the average delivery time for letter mail from three to seven days. Lightbound noted that households currently receive an average of only two letters per week, justifying the need for this adjustment.

The report also suggested the introduction of more community mailboxes, which will affect approximately 4 million Canadians. Currently, about 72 percent of Canadians are already served by community mailboxes. The government plans to lift a moratorium on rural post office closures, potentially leading to closures in areas deemed over-served.

Lightbound emphasized that these changes are necessary for Canada Post to achieve financial sustainability. The Crown corporation has faced significant financial challenges, reporting a loss of $1.3 billion in operating expenses in its 2024 annual report. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, Canada Post lost $407 million. The federal government previously announced a $1 billion cash injection to support the struggling entity.

The commission's recommendations also include allowing Canada Post to hire part-time employees for weekends to help manage the workload during the week. Lightbound stated that the adjustments could save Canada Post about $20 million annually.

In response to the announcement, Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) President Jan Simpson expressed concern over the timing of the changes. She stated that Lightbound had not indicated any upcoming adjustments during their recent meeting. Simpson anticipates that Canada Post will present a new offer in ongoing negotiations, emphasizing the importance of addressing workers' issues.

Lightbound has requested that Canada Post provide a plan within 45 days detailing how it will implement the recommendations and review its corporate structure to reduce overhead costs.