Does Canada Post Deliver on Saturdays? Everything Explained

Sending and receiving mail is an essential part of our lives. We rely on delivery services like Canada Post to send and receive letters, bills, packages, and more. But with no weekend delivery, many Canadians have one pressing question when it comes to Canada Post’s schedule – does Canada Post deliver on Saturdays?

The short answer is sometimes, but not usually. While Canada Post does not offer regular Saturday delivery, they have made exceptions during busy holiday seasons. They have also allowed some private franchise locations to do weekend delivery.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore Canada Post’s delivery schedule and policies to give you a comprehensive overview of when you can and can’t expect Saturday delivery. You’ll learn about:

• Canada Post’s official no Saturday delivery policy
• When Canada Post does offer Saturday parcel delivery
• Standard delivery times for different mail types
• How holidays and weather disrupt delivery
• Why some people still get weekend deliveries
• Mail processing on weekends
• How Canada Post is improving weekend options
• Tips for shipping on weekends
• And more!

Let’s start by looking at Canada Post’s official stance on Saturday mail delivery.

Canada Post’s Official No Saturday Delivery Policy

Canada Post, as Canada’s primary national postal service, delivers millions of pieces of mail and parcels each year to Canadian homes and businesses. However, Canada Post does not offer regular mail delivery on Saturdays or Sundays.

According to Canada Post’s website and stated policies, post offices operate on regular business hours Monday thru Friday. There is no regular mail pickup or delivery scheduled on weekends. The only days mail is not delivered are Sundays and statutory holidays.

Canada Post notes that most post offices are open 8 hours per day on weekdays only. Residential delivery routes run from 9 am to 8 pm while commercial deliveries occur between 9 am and 5 pm.

So Canada Post’s official stance is that no, they do not deliver standard mail on Saturdays. There are some exceptions, however, which we’ll explain next.

When Canada Post Does Offer Saturday Delivery

While Canada Post does not provide regular Saturday delivery year-round, there are some exceptions when mail can be delivered on Saturdays:

During Peak Holiday Seasons

The holidays are by far the busiest time of year for Canada Post. To help manage the surge in mail and parcel volumes during peak seasons like Christmas, Canada Post has been known to expand delivery to Saturdays.

In December, when parcel volumes can double compared to other months, having carriers deliver on Saturdays helps Canada Post clear out backlogs and ensure holiday gifts and cards arrive on time.

According to Canada Post, in 2020 they delivered over 20 million parcels during their peak December season. That huge volume requires exceptional measures, so Saturday delivery becomes an option.

Through Private Franchise Locations

Canada Post allows some independently owned and operated franchise post office locations to provide Saturday hours and delivery.

While Canada Post corporate offices observe standard Monday through Friday schedules, these private franchise locations have the option to open on weekends. They can set their own hours based on local demand.

For example, a Canada Post outlet inside a pharmacy may choose to open on Saturdays to align with the pharmacy’s hours. This gives customers access to services like parcel pickup and dropoff on weekends.

So in summary, although Canada Post’s official offices are closed on weekends, franchise locations allow the option for Saturday and sometimes even Sunday delivery.

Delivery Timeframes for Canada Post Services

To understand Canada Post’s delivery timeline, it helps to break it down by mail type and shipping speeds. Here is an overview of average delivery times once mail enters Canada Post’s network:

• Regular Parcel: 1-2 business days locally, 3 days regionally, 4-7 days nationally
• Xpresspost: Next day locally, 2 days nationally
• Priority: Next day locally and nationally
• Lettermail: 2-4 days locally, 3-7 days regionally, 4-8 days nationally
• International: 4-7 days to USA, and internationally

Delivery times can vary based on where the item is coming from (major urban center vs rural area), where it’s going to, and current conditions. But these ranges give a general idea of Canada Post’s delivery service standards.

The fastest options like Xpresspost and Priority can deliver as soon as the next day if you’re shipping within the same major city. But regular parcel delivery takes longer, up to 2 days locally or 9 days from Vancouver to St. John’s.

Shipping to the United States takes about a week at the maximum, while international delivery beyond the U.S. can take up to 14 days in some cases.

How Holidays and Weather Disrupt Delivery

While Canada Post aims to meet their delivery standards, holidays and extreme weather can sometimes cause delays or service impacts. Here are some examples:

Holiday Closures

Canada Post does not offer delivery on statutory holidays – days like Christmas, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, etc. With post offices and delivery operations closed on these statutory holidays, any mail or parcels will not be delivered until the next business day when operations resume.

Severe Weather Events

Extreme winter storms, freezing rain, or other severe weather can make delivery dangerous or impossible some days. In severe conditions, Canada Post can be forced to temporarily suspend or reduce delivery service for safety reasons. Mail delivery may be delayed by a day or longer until conditions improve.

For example, in December 2013, an ice storm in Ontario and Quebec caused Canada Post to halt delivery and close post offices in those provinces for multiple days until the storm passed.

So holidays and weather can interrupt Canada Post’s normal delivery schedule, including delaying weekend delivery if operations are suspended on Friday or Saturday.

Why Some People Still Receive Weekend Deliveries

Despite Canada Post stating they do not deliver on weekends, many Canadians have reported receiving Canada Post parcels at their home on Saturdays or even Sundays. What explains this contradiction?

There are a few reasons why some addresses still receive weekend mail delivery:

• Private location delivery – As mentioned earlier, franchise postal outlets with weekend hours can deliver to local addresses on Saturdays and Sundays, even though corporate offices are closed.
• Residence location – If you live closer to an open franchise location than a regular post office, your local carrier may be based from the franchise, allowing weekend delivery.
• Seasonal help – Canada Post hires extra seasonal carriers to help with holiday peaks. These temporary carriers may deliver on weekends to clear excess volumes.

So in summary, weekend delivery exceptions stem from Canada Post’s network of franchise locations and seasonal staff, not their standard system. It depends on your proximity to a franchise location and mail volumes.

Canada Post Still Processes Mail on Weekends

An important point about Canada Post’s operations is that even on weekends when regular delivery is suspended, the mail keeps moving through their system.

Processing centers across Canada still sort and transport mail on Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays. That way when Tuesday morning comes after a long weekend, for example, mail is already positioned at destination facilities ready for delivery.

So although you may not receive mail at your home on weekends, Canada Post vehicles are still shuttling mail around to distribution hubs using truck and airline transportation. Mail just doesn’t sit idle on weekends – it keeps flowing in preparation for the next business day.

How Canada Post Is Improving Weekend Delivery

Canada Post has recognized consumer desire for more convenient weekend and evening pickup and dropoff options. Here are some ways they have worked to expand access:

• Added franchise locations – Franchise post office outlets in drug stores and other retailers have increased weekend access points for consumers.
• Testing Saturday delivery – Canada Post has been piloting Saturday parcel delivery in some major urban centers to measure demand. This has helped handle overflow parcel volumes.
• Extended pickup hours – Many post offices now have evening and weekend pickup, giving customers access outside standard business hours.
• Added pickup points – Designated parcel pickup points have been added at various retail locations for added customer convenience.

While not full weekend delivery, these measures have certainly increased the accessibility of Canada Post’s services outside regular Monday to Friday.

When to Expect Packages Mailed on a Friday

A common customer question is when to expect delivery of a package mailed on a Friday, given Canada Post’s lack of weekend delivery. Here are some general guidelines:

• Local Xpresspost or Priority Mail – Should arrive the next business day, either Monday or Tuesday if Monday is a statutory holiday
• Within province – Arrival likely on Monday for Priority and Tuesday for Xpresspost unless a holiday weekend
• National – Delivery expected on Tuesday or Wednesday based on origin/destination and if a holiday falls on Monday
• USA – Packages mailed Priority to the USA on a Friday would arrive the following Monday or Tuesday

Of course, individual factors like severe weather or holiday closures can delay any mail beyond its expected delivery timeframe. But following Canada Post’s recommended shipping deadlines before weekends helps maximize the chance of timely delivery.

How Other Canadian Couriers Compare for Weekend Delivery?

Canada Post is not the only delivery provider in Canada that offers parcel shipping and mail services. How do other major Canadian couriers compare when it comes to weekend delivery?

• UPS: UPS offers Saturday delivery for an additional fee, with deliveries typically made in the morning or early afternoon on Saturdays. UPS does not offer any Sunday delivery except for pre-arranged large freight deliveries.
• FedEx: FedEx provides Saturday delivery as an extra option for most packages, with Saturday delivery available to both homes and businesses. Residential Saturday deliveries are generally made in the evening between 5-8 pm. FedEx does not deliver ground packages on Sundays.
• Purolator: Purolator does not offer regular weekend delivery on their standard ground services. However, their Purolator Express service option guarantees delivery by 9 am or noon on Saturday for an additional cost. There is no Sunday delivery.

So in summary, while the major couriers offer Saturday delivery for an added fee, only FedEx provides regular evening/weekend home delivery. UPS and Purolator focus their Saturday delivery during daytime hours. None offer widespread Sunday delivery apart from special freight services.

Tips for Shipping with Canada Post on Weekends

Because most Canada Post corporate offices are closed on weekends, what should you do if you need to ship a package on Saturday or Sunday? Here are some tips:

• Find a local Canada Post franchise location open on weekends like one inside a pharmacy or grocery store. They can accept parcels on Saturdays or possibly Sundays.
• For Monday delivery, get your package into a Canada Post street letter box before the last weekday pickup time, generally around 5pm.
• Understand that packages shipped on Fridays may not be delivered until Monday, depending on the shipping speed and destination.
• Ship using Priority and Xpresspost for earliest delivery on the next business day after the weekend.
• Check the hours for your neighborhood Canada Post location – some offer extended hours into evenings and weekends.
• Avoid shipping late on a Friday for Monday delivery if there is a holiday weekend or you’re shipping to a rural or remote area.

While Canada Post’s corporate policy is no weekend delivery, following these tips maximize your chance of timely shipment when using their services.

Is Expanded Weekend Delivery Coming?

As Canada Post responds to growing ecommerce driven parcel volumes and consumer expectations for convenience, some analysts foresee expanded weekend delivery in the future. However, there are challenges involved:

Cost – Offering weekend delivery would add significant labor costs. With overtime and shifts outside normal business days, expanded weekend operations present a major expense.

Infrastructure – Existing facilities may lack the processing capacity to handle added weekend parcel volumes. New hubs and logistics infrastructure would need to be added.

Competition – As more Canadian couriers offer Saturday and Sunday delivery, Canada Post will need to consider weekend services to stay competitive.

Labor – With ongoing labor shortages in the postal industry, having enough carriers willing to work weekends may prove difficult in the short term.

For now, Canada Post is focused on improving convenience through franchises and strategic Saturday delivery where volumes warrant. But down the road, regular weekend delivery may become a necessity to meet changing consumer expectations.

The Bottom Line: Does Canada Post Deliver on Saturdays?

In summary, here are the key takeaways on Canada Post’s current delivery schedule and the potential for expanded weekend service:

• Canada Post’s standard policy is no residential delivery on Saturdays or Sundays
• During peak holiday times, Canada Post has offered Saturday parcel delivery in many areas
• Some franchise locations have discretion to deliver on weekends if open
• Priority and Xpresspost provide the fastest delivery times of next day locally to a few days nationally
• Weather and holidays can impact delivery, even on weekends
• Consumers want more weekend options, prompting Canada Post to pilot Saturday delivery
• Unless near a franchise location, treat weekdays as Canada Post’s delivery window

So while there are some exceptions, the standard rule is still no Canada Post deliveries on Saturday for most Canadians. But improvements may come in the future as Canada Post adapts to meet changing needs.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped explain when Canada Post does and does not deliver on Saturdays. Although weekend delivery is still limited, you can maximize reliability by using fast shipping options and leveraging franchise locations open on Saturdays. With parcel volumes continuing to grow, Canada Post may expand weekend operations – but regular Saturday delivery still remains the exception rather than the norm.