Prepaid postcards going to every household in Canada to boost ‘meaningful connection’

Canada’s postal service is sending prepaid postcards to every household around the country with encouraging messages to send to others during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Canada Post said it began to deliver 13.5 million postcards, one to every residential address in the country, in February. 

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

There are six versions of the postcard, the department said, each one offering “a simple message of love, appreciation or thanks.” The postcards are randomly selected before being mailed to households. 

Over the last several weeks, hundreds of Canadians have posted on social media and announced their plans for forwarding the cards. 

Some, however, complained the initiative was a waste of time and money. 

I just received mine in the post this week and plan to write someone this weekend. If you don’t want to use your postage paid card, don’t throw it in the recycling, give it to local homeless or women’s shelter or a neighbour with kids. #WriteHereWriteNow https://t.co/2KL4OIxjzh

— Dirka Prout (@DirkaProut) March 5, 2021

Got my free post card in the mail this week from @canadapostcorp!
Love this idea! You can send a post card to anyone in Canada free of charge! Very cool! #sendinghugs #writeherewritenow pic.twitter.com/3WiP1JcR0w

— Jasmin Pettie (@jasmin_pettie) March 6, 2021

Almost went straight into the recycle bin but this caught my eye. Neat campaign from @canadapostcorp showing it’s all our responsibility to reach out and support others. @CityofVancouver let’s do more to get recreation sites open longer safely for mental health #WriteHereWriteNow pic.twitter.com/L23kJCo41x

— Jessica Inskip (@JessInskip) March 1, 2021

I used my “free” postage-paid postcard to write the President & CEO of Canada Post, Doug Etringer, to voice my displeasure for the #writeherewritenow campaign which I see as a waste of both financial and environmental resources. #canadapost @canadapostcorp pic.twitter.com/8DjHpAfrTr

— Chuck Wootten (@SussexChuck) March 6, 2021

Thanks @canadapostcorp #WriteHereWriteNow #JustinTrudeau #CanadaPost pic.twitter.com/poboSW8rgc

— Deplorable (@_highonfreedom_) March 6, 2021

By contrast, the U.S. Postal Service has struggled to keep up with demand during the coronavirus pandemic, with thousands of citizens complaining about long delays in mailing during the holiday season last year. 

Earlier this year, U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy apologized for the delays during a congressional hearing. 

“Too many Americans were left waiting for weeks for important deliveries of mail and packages. This is unacceptable and I apologize to those customers who felt the impact of our delays,” DeJoy said, promising the department would “strive to do better in our service to the American people and we will do better.”