Canada Post community mailbox program on hold

In asurprise move,Canada Post istemporarily suspending itsprogram to convert door-to-door mail delivery to community mailboxes, the Crown corporation announced in a releaseearly Monday evening.

Efforts are now underway to place the comprehensive program on hold in an orderly fashion.- Anick Losier, Canada Post

"We will work collaboratively with the Government of Canada to determine the best path forward given the ongoing challenges faced by the Canadian postal system," wrote Anick Losier, the director of media relations for Canada Post.

"Efforts are now underway to place the comprehensive program on hold in an orderly fashion," said Losier."This involves roughly 460,000 addresses across the country which are currently in the process to be converted to community mailboxes."

As a result, all conversions planned for November and December 2015 and those announced for 2016 will be placed on hold. Canada Post says affected customerswill receive a letter within the next few weeks advising them of the status of their mail delivery service.

"We remain focused on maintaining reliable postal service to all Canadians without disruption," said Losier, adding that those who have just begun to receive their mail at community boxes will continue to do so.

More than 10,000 residents of Stratford and Charlottetown began using their new community mailboxes Monday.

• Community mailboxes launch in Charlottetown and Stratford

The announcement comes one week after Canadians elected JustinTrudeau'sLiberals, who have promised to reinstate home mail delivery.