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By Chantal Wagner

online shopping

Canada Post encourages Canadians to shop early to spread out demand

Oct 26, 2020 | 11:18 AM

Canada Post has been experiencing significant increases in mail and parcel volumes since April.

And with the holiday shopping season coming up, they encourage shopping early to receive your packages in time.

Canada Post Spokesperson Haley Magermans says a lot of people have been staying home more to try and combat the virus.

And as a result, have been doing more online shopping.

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She expects this to be a Christmas like no other and asks Canadians to start shopping early.

By doing so, that will spread out demand and is less likely to overwhelm their capacity which could cause delays.

“On any typical year, we’ll see a big parcel surge maybe around Cyber Monday or Black Friday and maybe the week before Christmas. If that happens this year there is a good chance that it could overwhelm our capacity so keeping things steady starting now and spreading out the demand will really be helpful for those who are getting those important items by their deadline and also for our letter carriers who are working so hard and have been delivering crazy volumes since April.”

Magermans says to prepare for the holiday season like they do every year, Canada Post will be adding over 4,000 seasonal employees and 1,000 vehicles to their fleet.

Agents will also be delivering on the weekends to get through more volumes and post office hours will be extended.

As for delivery and receiving deadlines, Magermans says Canada Post has not put any together yet but encourages to keep checking the website.

She says they look at past years to compare and figure out timelines, but this is not a typical year.

“For instance, if you are looking at purchasing anything overseas we’re seeing a lot fewer flights coming in which means a lot less cargo to bring those items to Canada,” she said.

Magermans adds some things we can do to keep carriers safe this season is to make sure the paths around your home are clear and to shovel and salt your sidewalks. And also give them space to deliver by remembering to keep the six-foot distance.

“The work they (mail carriers) do has been absolutely incredible. Especially this time of year they’re so proud to be able to deliver Christmas and we are so thankful for them,” she told Chat News.