Canadian postal service trying to get people to mail handwritten messages

By: Thomas I. Likness
EBC News Service

(Eagle News) — In an effort to promote its letter delivery service, Canada Post is mailing free postcards to every household in the country.

The blank postcards are part of the “Write Here, Write Now” program.

It was launched last fall to encourage Canadians to use letter writing to connect in a heartfelt way.

“Meaningful connection is vital for our emotional health, sense of community and overall well-being,” says Doug Ettinger, President and CEO of Canada Post. “Canada Post wants everyone to stay safe, but also stay in touch with the people who matter to them.”

Some 13.5 million postcards with a prepaid stamp will be sent out beginning March 1.

The cards come in six versions.

Each one offers a message of love, appreciation or thanks.

They can be mailed to anyone in Canada, free of charge, by dropping them off at a mail box, community mailbox or post office.

As more people turn to doing personal business and communicating online, fewer are mailing letters.

Handwritten letters are almost a thing of the past.

In its 2019 annual report, Canada Post noted the volume of residential mail has dropped by 55 per cent since 2006.
(Eagle News Service)