Canadian stamp collectors and postal customers could face a substantial increase in postage costs next year, with The Globe and Mail reporting the price of a standard domestic stamp will climb to $2 in 2027, followed by annual increases of seven per cent.
The newspaper reported the proposed increases Thursday, Nov. 5, as part of its coverage of the 2026 federal budget, suggesting the changes would bring Canadian postage rates more in line with those of other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
Under the heading “Other tidbits,” The Globe and Mail reports the following in its federal budget coverage: “And if you’re sending mail any time soon, you may want to stock up on stamps: Thursday’s budget announced the price of a standard stamp will jump to $2 in 2027 (from the current $1.44), then increase continually by 7 per cent a year, bringing it in line with OECD peers.”
Canadian Stamp News (CSN) has contacted Canada Post seeking confirmation of the reported increases and clarification on how they would affect collectors, dealers and other postal customers.
Currently, a single domestic stamp costs $1.44, while stamps purchased in booklets, coils or panes cost $1.24 each. An increase from $1.44 to $2 would represent a jump of nearly 39 per cent. However, if the $2 rate also applies to booklet stamps, the increase would exceed 61 per cent.
CSN has asked Canada Post whether the proposed rate applies to both categories, when it would take effect and whether subsequent seven-per-cent annual increases would be automatic or subject to approval. If implemented as reported, a $2 stamp would cost approximately $2.14 in 2028, $2.29 in 2029 and $2.45 in 2030. These are projections, not confirmed postal rates.
For stamp collectors, the proposed increases could significantly raise the cost of purchasing new commemorative issues, particularly complete booklets and panes. Official first day covers (OFDCs) could also become more expensive if their prices rise alongside postage rates.
Another consideration is Canada Post’s Permanent (P) stamps, which remain valid for basic domestic lettermail regardless of subsequent rate increases. Under the existing policy, collectors and postal customers holding unused Permanent (P) stamps purchased at current prices would be able to use them after a rate increase without adding postage for qualifying domestic letters.
CSN has asked Canada Post to confirm whether this policy will continue unchanged.
The reported increases would follow a substantial postage hike in January 2025, when Canada Post raised the price of an individually purchased domestic stamp from $1.15 to $1.44, while booklet stamps increased from 99 cents to $1.24.
The federal government subsequently announced plans to streamline the regulatory process for approving postage increases. Under the changes outlined in the 2025 federal budget, Canada Post would be able to adjust regulated stamp rates without the previous requirement for Governor in Council approval, while remaining subject to statutory requirements that rates be fair and reasonable.
Canada Post has argued the traditional approval process, which could take up to nine months, prevented it from responding quickly to rising costs and declining lettermail volumes. The proposed pricing changes come as the Crown corporation continues to face significant financial pressures and works toward a more sustainable operating model.
Stamp dealers and other small businesses could also face higher operating costs, particularly those relying on lettermail to distribute catalogues, approvals, invoices and customer orders. For example, mailing 1,000 standard domestic letters at the current booklet rate of $1.24 costs $1,240. At a hypothetical $2 rate, the cost would rise to $2,000, an increase of $760.
CSN has also requested clarification on whether similar increases are planned for U.S. and international postage, oversized Lettermail, Registered Mail, commercial mailing services and parcels.
While The Globe and Mail report points to significant increases beginning in 2027, the precise pricing structure and implementation details have not yet been confirmed by Canada Post. CSN will update readers when a response is received.