Canada Post gives mailboxes a makeover

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This article was published 14/08/2009 (5981 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IN case you haven’t noticed, Winnipeg’s mailboxes got a makeover.

As part of its $1.9 billion mission to modernize its operation over the next several years, Canada Post is replacing its iconic, red street letter boxes with a snazzier version that’s less attractive to vandals and thieves.

"It’s a national program and Winnipeg is one of the first cities to receive the new boxes," said Canada Post spokeswoman Kathi Neal.

Toronto, Ottawa and Windsor are also getting the special delivery.

By the end of the month, all 640 of Winnipeg’s street boxes will be replaced with the new model, which has a high-security lock and a graffiti-resistant surface, she said. "Graffiti substances will either drip off or at least be easier to clean."

The funky, graphic pattern itself should be a deterrent to taggers. The new drop boxes look like they’re already covered in a strange form of graffiti, but in fact they’re adorned with postal codes from across the country.

Neal says the new boxes are also designed to be compatible with high-tech equipment being installed in Canada Post’s new mail-processing plants — including the $100 million Winnipeg facility being built near the airport.

Also, the mailbags inside the boxes have been replaced with plastic bins, improving health and safety for carriers, she says. Where the bags were easy to overfill, increasing the risk of injury, the containers hold a maximum of 18.5 kilograms. And they’re made of clear plastic allowing carriers to spot any dangerous materials that may be lurking among the letters and parcels.

"People sometimes throw items other than mail into our letter boxes — needles and other sharp items have even been found," Neal said. "Those items are more visible than when they’re in bags."

As part of its regular "street furniture" review process, Canada Post is also assessing how often each of the city’s 640 letter boxes is being used. To date, Winnipeg is slated to lose at least 13 boxes. They’ll be marked with a sticker advising the public of their pending departure.

"It’ll still be very easy to mail a letter," Neal said. "Canada Post ensures there is at least one street letter box every 500 metres in low volume areas."

carolin.vessley@freepress.mb.ca