Today is the busiest day of the year for Canada Post workers as they sort, send and deliver the massive mounds of packages and letters coming into their plants.
The volume of mail that filters through the region’s busiest sorting station in Halifax triples during the holiday season.
“This is our time to shine. We are looking to hit that guarantee under the tree for the 24th,” says Paula Bernat, the Canada Post’s director of operations in Nova Scotia.
The Almon Street location is the main processing plant for all Maritime mail. Parcels are shipping from Halifax around the world, and the plant is never busier than in December.
“Oh, it’s a lot busier. Mainly to get the parcels out to the customers in a timely fashion,” says postal worker Barb Arnold.
In addition to, more online purchasing means a record number of parcels to be shipped – seven per cent more than this time last year.
“Canadians, we love shopping online and e-commerce is something we’ve jumped both feet first into at Canada Post and that’s manifested itself into the types of products we see,” says Bernat.
Between mid-November and the end of December, one billion parcels and letters will delivered to homes across Canada.
“It’s interesting to see some of the parcels that come in that are wrapped in ribbons and bows and then just your traditional packaging,” says Arnold.
However, the longer you wait to send your parcels, the longer you will wait in line at the post office.
“My parents live in Quebec, so I am a little late,” says Canada Post customer Brian Olson. “I am trying to get something off to them today or tomorrow so they’ll have something in time for Christmas.”
According to Canada Post, there is still time to send a parcel for Christmas.
The regular mail deadline has passed, but if you’re willing to shell out the extra cash, Express Post and Priority Mail will ensure packages arrive before the big day, if mailed out by Dec. 21.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl
