Canada Post to phase out door-to-door delivery

By Katie Coleman

BELLEVILLE – Canada Post announced early Wednesday that it will start phasing out door-to-door mail delivery and will increase the price of stamps.

Between 6,000 and 8,000 jobs will be chopped as a result of the change in delivery.

The announcement comes after the agency reported losses of $73 million in the third quarter of 2013. Canada Post says it is aiming to be financially self-sufficient again by 2019.

The plan is to introduce community mailboxes for all households in urban areas starting in the second half of 2014, although existing rural mailbox delivery is to continue.

The price of stamps will increase as of March 31, 2014. A stamp for a domestic letter will cost 85 cents if the stamps are bought in booklets or coils. If the stamps are bought one at a time, the cost will be $1. The current price is 63 cents.

Canada Post says it will also partner with local businesses to offer more convenient locations for postal services.

An update to technology will streamline operations, the agency said.

More to come.