Canada Post vs. CMA: The smart way to forward your mail
When you move in Canada, there are two primary administrative tasks everyone talks about: hiring a mover and updating your address. For the latter, most people immediately think of Canada Post Mail Forwarding.
While Canada Post's service is vital for catching mail that slips through the cracks, it’s not a complete solution. In the modern age, a dedicated service like ChangemyAddress.ca provides the essential, long-term solution you need.
Here is a breakdown of the two options and why you need both for a truly stress-free move.
Option 1: Canada Post Mail Forwarding
| Feature | Details | Key takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Reroutes physical mail from your old address to your new one. | A safety net. It catches mail from organizations you forgot to notify. |
| Duration | 4, 6, or 12 months. It is not permanent. | Temporary. You must notify everyone yourself eventually. |
| Cost | Fixed fee based on duration and distance (local, provincial, national). | Paid service. The cost covers the physical redirection of mail. |
| Scope | Only covers mail. It does not update any organization's database. | Limited. Your bank/CRA still think you live at the old address. |
The Downside: Canada Post's service is a Band-Aid. After 12 months, your mail stops forwarding. If you haven't permanently updated the sender, your mail will be returned to them—or worse, lost. You still have to call every bank, the CRA, and your insurance company yourself.
Option 2: ChangemyAddress.ca (Permanent Notification Service)
| Feature | Details | Key takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Notifies organizations permanently of your new address. | The permanent fix. Updates the original source of the mail. |
| Duration | Permanent update with the company/agency itself. | Lasting solution. Once updated, the mail goes to the new address forever. |
| Cost | A single service fee for notifying multiple companies at once. | Paid service. The cost covers the convenience, time savings, and security of the notification process. |
| Scope | Targets Government, Financial, Insurance, and Utility providers. | Comprehensive. Updates crucial databases, not just the mail delivery route. |
The Downside: Canada Post's service is a Band-Aid. After 12 months, your mail stops forwarding. If you haven't permanently updated the sender, your mail will be returned to them—or worse, lost. You still have to call every bank, the CRA, and your insurance company yourself.
The Smart Mover’s Strategy: Why You Need Both
Smart movers don't choose one or the other—they use both strategically:
- Start with ChangemyAddress.ca: Use our streamlined platform to immediately notify your top-tier contacts (CRA, banks, utilities, insurance). This ensures your most critical accounts are permanently updated before you move.
- Purchase Canada Post Forwarding: This acts as a necessary safety net for 4-6 months. It catches any mail from subscriptions, old contacts, or minor agencies you missed.
- Audit the Forwarded Mail: Use the mail caught by Canada Post to see who you still need to notify. If you keep getting mail from "Magazine X," you know you missed them!
The Bottom Line: Canada Post moves your mail; ChangemyAddress.ca moves your life.
Use us to permanently and securely update the essential organizations, and use Canada Post for temporary mail-catching peace of mind.
Make the permanent change today. Get started with ChangemyAddress.ca!
Share this post via:
