Canada Post holds mail for flooded residents
Companies that send direct mail using address standardization software to Canadian customers may see some lag time between sending marketing materials and delivery because of recent weather developments.
According to Canada Post, the mailing service is delaying mail delivery to residents in southern Alberta due to the recent flooding of homes. The Ottawa Citizen reported the massive flooding has resulted in many residences and buildings being underwater and is unusual in Canada. Due to the sudden onset of water, Canadians and businesses were not ready for the flooding, and the Ottawa Citizen has labeled the disaster as "Canada's Hurricane Sandy moment."
The Canada Post is holding off the mail due to limited access to residential buildings and the rush of flooding relief efforts currently underway. Although the circumstance prevents mail carriers from reaching residents, Canada Post issued information for Canadians to receive their mail at specific mailing centers. However, it continues to be a challenge for the service to reach residents. According to Global News, Canada Post is waiving the fee for redirecting mail due to the current circumstances.
Mike Benson, spokesperson for Canada Post, told Global News the service is taking the situation one day at the time.
"None of us have ever done anything like this before," Benson said. "It's been a struggle daily. Where we can deliver, where we can access […] we want to deliver every piece of mail that's physically possible to get out of this building. That's our goal."
Until relief efforts begin to reduce the flooding and Canada Post looks to start delivering mail again, companies may notice an increase in returned mail or see direct mail material sit at distribution centers. By investing in address validation software, however, businesses can be sure that eventually the mailing pieces are sent to the right consumers.