On today’s date in 1981, Canadian Parliament passed the Canada Post Corporation Act, which saw the Post Office Department become a Crown corporation called Canada Post.
The legislation also included a measure guaranteeing basic postal service to all Canadians, who have since had mail delivery legally protected regardless of where in the country they live.
A modern Canada Post truck makes deliveries in Toronto in 2017.
POSTAL SERVICE HISTORY
In 1867, the government of the newly formed Dominion of Canada created the Post Office Department, which was headed by a cabinet minister with the title of postmaster general.
Taking effect on April 1, 1868, The Act for the Regulation of the Postal Service ensured postal service throughout the dominion.
The Canadian system was modelled after its British predecessor, which was created by Sir Rowland Hill, who introduced the postage stamp, weight-based rates and other iconic reforms in the mid-19th century.