Thousands of residents in Pickering and Ajax will lose door-to-door mail delivery starting in 2027 as Canada Post continues its nationwide transition to community mailboxes.
The Crown corporation announced this week that approximately 485,000 more addresses across Canada will be converted to community mailboxes next year as part of a sweeping five-year transformation plan. In Durham Region, the move directly impacts specific postal codes in both Pickering and Ajax.
In Ajax, addresses with postal codes beginning with L1S and L1T will be converted. In Pickering, addresses starting with L1V, L1W and L1X are on the list. The changes are part of a broader rollout affecting about 158,000 addresses across several Ontario municipalities including Brampton, Mississauga, Ottawa, Kitchener, London and Hawkesbury.
The announcement comes as Canada Post reported a $1.57 billion loss before tax for 2025, underscoring the financial pressures driving the modernization effort.
Community mailbox conversions are a key element of Canada Post’s plan to transform the postal service to meet the evolving needs of Canadians without becoming a recurring burden on taxpayers, the corporation said in a press release.
Community mailboxes have been part of Canada’s delivery network for more than 40 years and are already used by millions of Canadians. Each unit provides locked compartments for both mail and parcels. According to Canada Post, more than 80 per cent of parcels delivered fit into either the individual compartment or a dedicated parcel compartment within the unit. Oversized items or those requiring a signature will still be delivered directly to the door or held for pickup at a nearby post office.
Canada Post says it is responsible for maintaining all community mailboxes, including clearing snow during winter and replacing faulty locks at no cost to homeowners.
The Durham Region conversions follow an earlier announcement that homes in the M9V and M9W areas of Etobicoke will be among the first to lose home delivery, starting in late 2026 and early 2027. Cities including Ottawa, Vancouver and Winnipeg are also part of the initial rollout phase.
Other provinces in the 2027 conversion round include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.
Beyond the mailbox transition, Canada Post is also exploring additional reforms including weekend parcel delivery and potential post office closures as part of its broader effort to modernize operations and address years of financial losses. The corporation has said that without significant changes, it risks becoming an unsustainable burden on Canadian taxpayers.
For Pickering and Ajax residents affected by the change, Canada Post says it will provide advance notice before installations begin in their neighbourhoods. Information sessions are planned for affected communities to help residents understand what to expect and how the new community mailboxes will work.
Residents with mobility or accessibility needs can contact Canada Post to discuss accommodations.
The transition to community mailboxes marks one of the most significant changes to mail delivery in Durham Region in decades. With Pickering and Ajax among the first wave of communities affected, residents are encouraged to stay informed as specific rollout timelines and installation details are finalized in the coming months.
