The mail to your door

I see that the Canadian post office proposes to cut out home delivery of mail.    Instead, letters will be delivered to "community mail boxes". It's all in the interests of reducing costs.

The issue is relevant in Australia, too, as I see that an increase in the price of stamps is being requested.

But, so far as Canada is concerned, I wasn't sure what a "community mail box" is.    My googling suggested that it's a group of mail boxes in a central location.  Presumably there wouldn't be a charge involved.









As a long-time user of a mail box at the local post office, the idea of the post office providing a free, secure location has quite an appeal.  We pay about $100 a year for the "privilege" of collecting our mail instead of having it delivered to the door.  Admittedly, most mail is available early in the day and the mail is held securely if we're away, but in some respects the idea of paying not to have the mail delivered is a bit odd!

Understandably, the idea of community mail boxes doesn't appeal to everyone.  Where will they be located in densely populated areas, and how far will you have to travel to get to your mail box?  What about the infirm who rely on the mail being delivered to their door?   And will the Canadian post office require mail being sent to a community mail box to be addressed to that mail box, or will it still be delivered if only a street address is given (in which case, won't additional sorting costs eat up any cost savings)?  We always publicise our mail box address, but in spite of this, letters are regularly addressed to our street address (and are delivered accordingly).