JANUARY 13, 2016 – As members are aware, in September, Canada Post announced price and service changes to Publications Mail and Neighbourhood Mail (formerly Unaddressed Admail) that took effect on January 11, 2016.
In December, Newspapers Canada learned that Canada Post had reduced the maximum size for oversize Publications Mail from 600 mm x 600 mm x 200 mm (23.6″ x 23.6″ x 7.9″) to 380 mm x 270 mm x 55 mm (14.9″ x 10.6″ x 2.2″). While the change was meant to ensure that items would fit within community mailboxes, which have a depth of 15 inches, the new measurement is smaller than a traditional half-folded broadsheet newspaper. Moreover, this drastic reduction was not mentioned in the September announcement.
Newspapers Canada brought the industry’s concerns to Canada Post, detailing the impact on newspapers of both the size reduction and the lack of notice. The Association recommended that the size be further revised to 380 mm x 380 mm x 55 mm (14.9″ x 14.9″ x 2.2″) in order to accommodate standard half-folded broadsheet and tabloid newspapers, as well as larger, quarter-folded broadsheets.
As a result of Newspapers Canada’s intervention, Canada Post amended the Publications Mail Customer Guide, issuing version 1.3 on January 12 to include the new measurement of 380 mm x 380 mm x 55 mm (14.9″ x 14.9″ x 2.2″). Members can download this latest version of the Publications Mail Customer Guide at https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/Amalgamated/Amalgamated_PM-e.pdf.
Members should also note the following new terminology:
- Unaddressed Admail is now Neighbourhood Mail;
- NDG Presort is now Delivery Facility Presort;
- NDG Regional is now Regional Rural.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tina Ongkeko, Managing Director, Member Services, at tongkeko@newspaperscanada.ca.
