Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 148, Number 22: Regulations Amending the Mail Receptacles Regulations

May 31, 2014

Statutory authority

Canada Post Corporation Act

Sponsoring agency

Canada Post Corporation

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)

Issues

The Mail Receptacles Regulations (the Regulations) provide specifications for mail box assemblies and conditions and specifications for parcel compartment units in apartment buildings and office complexes. There are a limited number of mail box assemblies on the market that meet the current specifications. Most of these assemblies provide very little room for small parcels; thus, if a parcel cannot be delivered, the customer will need to pick it up at a post office. Currently, the installation of parcel compartment units is not mandatory, but if such units are installed, they must be located adjacent to the mail box assembly inside the building. Not all buildings have sufficient space in their lobbies for parcel units.

Objectives

The objectives of the proposed amendments are to facilitate delivery and provide addressees, primarily in urban areas, with more convenient and secure access to their parcels.

Description

The proposed amendments to the Regulations would

Benefits and costs

The changes to the dimensional specifications for mail box assemblies would provide building owners with greater choice and flexibility when purchasing and installing mail box assembly units. The installation of secure parcel units, either outside or inside apartment buildings or office complexes, would benefit consumers and businesses by providing them with more convenient access to their parcels and reducing the risk of theft. Centralized delivery also enables delivery agents to deliver parcels in a more cost-effective and secure manner.

The amendments would not require building owners to cover any additional costs. The installation of parcel-only compartments would remain non-mandatory, and the units could be installed at the option of either the property owner or Canada Post. It is anticipated that most parcel units would be installed by Canada Post at its own expense. Permitting the installation of boxes of a different configuration than was allowed would enable building owners or Canada Post to take advantage of the other sizes available in the marketplace at competitive prices. Such units would need to meet rigorous security standards and Canada Post would continue to provide the required locks and keys.

“One-for-One” Rule

The “One-for-One” Rule does not apply as there is no change in administrative costs to business.

Small business lens

The small business lens does not apply as there are no costs to small business.

Consultation

The Canada Post Corporation Act requires a consultation period through publication of each regulatory proposal in the Canada Gazette. All representations must be sent to the Minister of Transport. The representations are taken into consideration in the preparation of the final regulatory proposal.

The proposed amendments were part of a larger package of amendments to the Mail Receptacles Regulations that was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 21, 2013. No comments were received during the 30-day consultation period. That proposal has since been amended to deal only with mail and parcel box assemblies. No changes have been made to the provisions related to these assemblies that were previously prepublished.

Rationale

Currently, not all mail box assemblies in apartment buildings or office complexes have secure parcel compartment units. There is a growing need for such units, given the increasing popularity of e-commerce. The amendments would allow parcel units to be installed either inside or outside the building, which would give residents and businesses secure and convenient access to their parcels and make delivery more cost-effective.

Implementation, enforcement and service standards

The amendments would come into force on registration by the Clerk of the Privy Council.

The Regulations are enforced by Canada Post under the Canada Post Corporation Act. No increase in the cost of enforcement is expected as a result of the changes.

Contact

Georgette Mueller
Director
Regulatory Affairs
Canada Post Corporation
2701 Riverside Drive, Suite N0980C
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0B1
Telephone: 613-734-7576
Email: georgette.mueller@canadapost.ca

PROPOSED REGULATORY TEXT

Notice is given, pursuant to subsection 20(1) of the Canada Post Corporation Act (see footnote a), that the Canada Post Corporation, pursuant to subsection 19(1) (see footnote b) of that Act, proposes to make the annexed Regulations Amending the Mail Receptacles Regulations.

Interested persons may make representations concerning the proposed Regulations within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. All such representations must cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, and the date of publication of this notice, and be addressed to the Minister of Transport, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6.

CANADA POST CORPORATION

REGULATIONS AMENDING THE MAIL RECEPTACLES REGULATIONS

AMENDMENTS

1. The definition “parcel compartment assembly” in section 2 of the Mail Receptacles Regulations (see footnote 1) is replaced by the following:

“parcel compartment assembly” means all parcel compartment units installed inside or outside an apartment building or office complex; (batterie de casiers à colis)

2. Section 3 of Schedule III to the Regulations is replaced by the following:

3. The interior of each mail box in a mail box assembly shall measure

3. Subsection 8(2) of Schedule III to the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) The lock shall be fitted so that, when it is locked, the bolt is engaged in metal to a depth of at least 6 mm.

4. The heading of Schedule IV to the Regulations is replaced by the following:

CONDITIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR PARCEL COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES

5. (1) The portion of section 1 of Schedule IV to the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

1. Mail shall be delivered to a parcel compartment assembly if

(2) Paragraphs 1(b) and (c) of Schedule IV to the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(3) Paragraph 1(f) of Schedule IV to the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(4) Section 1 of Schedule IV to the Regulations is amended by adding the following after paragraph (g):

6. Subsection 3(1) of Schedule IV to the Regulations is replaced by the following:

3. (1) The Corporation shall provide a lock mechanism and a key for each individual storage compartment.

COMING INTO FORCE

7. These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.

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