Owner-operator Darren Budd said they typically use five drivers, but even with an expanded team of 15, the piles in their facility continue to grow. They cover five routes for Canpar Express in the Bracebridge and Port Carling area, so their team is delivering and picking up about 1,500 parcels a day. Their Amazon deliveries are also running behind with about 1,000 packages waiting to be delivered to customers in Bracebridge and Gravenhurst.

“Parcel service has quadrupled this holiday season,” Budd said. “Most shippers that used Canada Post have moved to us as a courier for both delivery and pick-up.”

The company works with UPS, Canpar, DHL and Amazon. While there may be Amazon packages for Gravenhurst residents, the company will only have packages from the other carriers for people with Bracebridge or Port Carling postal codes.

Budd said he would avoid calling the carriers directly since people will most likely talk to a customer service rep in Toronto who can’t help them. Instead, locals should check their tracking and see where their items were last scanned. His team hasn’t been able to scan and status many of the parcels they’ve received, so the status should show no updates after reaching the facility.

“Weather has put us behind at least a week,” he said. “[We’re] currently sitting on about 30k parcels just in our warehouse. The combination of Canada Post strike, weather and Christmas has been the perfect storm.”

If customers are in the correct service area and their package is in Bracebridge, they can reach out to DPB Delivery with their address, tracking number and carrier details to confirm the company has the package. Once it’s confirmed, locals can stop by the Canpar Express depot at 581 Ecclestone Drive in Bracebridge.

Shortly after posting about the pick-up option on Facebook, the company received more than 50 messages with names alone, so Budd is asking customers to read the requirements carefully and be sure they take the necessary steps. Drivers are working 12- to 14-hour shifts seven days a week just to stay afloat, and they still have boxes piled everywhere throughout their 5,000-square-foot facility.

“Everyone is starting to burn out and feel defeated,” Budd said. “In my 25 years of working for UPS/Canpar here in Muskoka, this is by far the craziest Christmas rush yet. We are pushing through best we can, but we all know there will likely be thousands of packages sitting in our warehouse come Christmas Eve.”

The post DPB Delivery Bracebridge Offers Parcel Pick-Up Amid Mail Slowdowns appeared first on Muskoka411.

One affected customer is Julie Gasko, who owns and operates Black Bear Barber Co in Gravenhurst with her husband Mike. She has not received mail recently, according to her Facebook post.

In the post on the public Facebook group ‘Gravenhurst The Good’ on Tuesday, she asked if other Kilworthy residences were being affected – writing:

“Kilworthy residences: Has anyone been experiencing issues with mail delivery again? I have not gotten anything in over a week and a half, which is very unusual. Not even a flyer!”

The post has 126 comments as of the time of this publication. Many people in the comments report having delayed or undelivered mail.

Muskoka 411 contacted the Canada Post for comment.

“Our mail delivery operations in Kilworthy is facing a temporary staffing shortage, but all customers have been receiving mail three to four times a week. We are in the process of hiring new temporary employees,” said Canada Post spokesman Phil Rogers in an email to Muskoka411.

“Our Gravenhurst team, serving Kilworthy, is working hard to serve customers and takes any concerns about service seriously. They are working to minimize any impacts on customers, but there may be delays in the short term as we hire and train new employees.”

Customers can temporarily pick up their mail at the Gravenhurst Post Office at 101-1 Muskoka Road.

Questions regarding postal services or replacing a faulty lock on their community mailbox can be directed to the Canada Post’s Customer Service team online at canadapost.ca/support or by telephone at 1-866-607-6301 (TTY: 1-800-267-2797).

The post Canada Post Staffing Shortage Causing Delivery Delays in Kilworthy appeared first on Muskoka411.

Residents are asked to check their security cameras or dash cams for the images of the suspects, and their vehicle.

Click Here to report a damaged or vandalized mailbox.

Anyone with information is asked to call OPP or Crime Stoppers.

The post Mail Boxes Damaged, Mail Stolen On Stephenson Road 2 appeared first on Muskoka411.

This directive comes after positive COVID-19 cases continue to increase at the largest postal facility in the country. A total of 182 workers at Canada Post’s Dixie Road location have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus so far this month.

“We are pleased that public health authorities have finally made the right call, listened to the Union, and prioritized the health and safety of workers,” says Jan Simpson, CUPW National President. “Postal workers are on the front lines, helping people stay home and flatten the curve, but it should not be at the expense of their health and well-being.”

CUPW says they continue to work with Canada Post and public health authorities to make sure health and safety protocols are adequate and enforced to prevent future outbreaks and keep workers safe. That means making sure the highest level of cleaning is done in the facility, proper protective equipment must be available to all workers, and physical distancing protocols are respected. Rapid testing also continues to be offered by Canada Post for all workers at the facility.

CUPW has also ensured that the quarantine leave provisions in the collective agreement are respected so members who are sent home will be paid while in isolation and away from work.

Shipping delays may occur according to a notice on the Canada Post website.

The post Canada Post Workers At Gateway East Sent Home To Self-Isolate appeared first on Muskoka411.

Parcel deliveries grew at a record pace from April to May, according to Canada Post, leading to an all-time, one-day record on May 19. A total of 2.1 million parcels were delivered to Canadians that day, which is about three times the usual number of deliveries for this time of year. Along with increased volumes of mail, more Canadians are ordering larger household items such as mini-fridges or barbecues that often require a two-person lift, creating added safety challenges and delays.

“As Canadians continue to ramp up and diversify their online shopping, Canada Post is responding to unprecedented parcel volumes while maintaining important physical distancing measures in all our facilities,” said a statement from the mail service on May 26. “Processing record parcel volumes in plants that were never designed to keep people two metres apart takes more time.”

To address the increased demand, Canada Post is processing and delivering on weekends while also enlisting the help of trained temporary employees. Some parcels will be transferred to other Canada Post locations for processing in order to reduce delays based on capacity, according to Canada Post, so customers tracking their items may notice their parcel is taking a different route than usual.

“We understand the importance of these items, especially at this time, and thank Canadians for their patience and understanding,” the statement said. “Our employees are working hard to serve and we’ll continue to keep customers updated on our progress.”

For further updates and information related to Canada Post and their response to COVID-19, visit the Canada Post website.

The post Canada Post Says Canadians Should Expect Parcel Delays For Foreseeable Future appeared first on Muskoka411.