By Kellah Lavoie

Crunch time for Canada Post

Dec 11, 2010 | 6:31 AM

Christmas is on the way, and it means extra pressure on Canada Post.

Martin Ring, Canada Post local area superintendent, said they are working hard to keep on pace.

“It gets a little crazy, obviously it is some of our heaviest volumes. People are counting on Canada Post to deliver their Christmas gifts and such over the holidays.”

He said across Canada, the Crown corporation has dealt with about 555 million letters and parcels in the past four weeks. Prince Albert sees 60,000 to 70,000 per day.

In order to keep things running smoothly, the Prince Albert office has bumped up their staffing for the month.

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

21h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

22h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

22h ago

Ring said aside from adding a few people to the sortation area, they have the afternoon crew start early.

“In the evening we are in a bit of a rush, we’re trying to get everything out of here. Everything comes through Prince Albert to go to Saskatoon and Regina that’s the connection,” he said.

On top of it all there are more than 40 offices in the area they have to deal with.

It’s not slowing them down. He said the offices are still hitting all of their deadlines for getting mail across the province and country.

“It’s an exciting time of the year and people realize they do have to do that extra effort,” he said adding it get a little tougher when the temperature drops.

There is still time to get cards and parcels out before Christmas.

“Next week is crunch time,” he said.

“Within the country… we would like to have them by Thursday or Friday next week.”

As far as letters within the city, he said they are still getting turned around within one or two days.
Canada Post will be delivering mail until Christmas Eve, although Ring added they would all like to be able to leave early.

klavoie@panow.com