Capital Daily for Friday, June 12

Canada Post is phasing out door-to-door delivery for residents in Colwood, Esquimalt, Langford, Saanich, View Royal, Victoria, and the Songhees Reserve. The conversion for these areas—covering addresses with postal codes beginning with V9A, V9B, and V9C—is expected to be complete by November 2027.

Nationally, Canada Post says it will take about five years to convert four million addresses that still receive door-to-door delivery, with different areas transitioning each year. The company cited its deteriorating financial situation as driving the urgency, noting a record loss in 2025 and another significant loss in the first quarter of 2026.

Canada Post says nearly three-quarters of Canadian addresses already receive mail through centralized delivery such as community mailboxes, apartment lobby boxes, or post office boxes. The company argues the move will improve security by keeping mail and parcels under lock and key, and will save money since door delivery costs significantly more than delivery to a community mailbox.

The company said there are no plans to reduce delivery frequency. Spokesperson Lisa Liu noted that CUPW employees recently voted in favour of a tentative agreement that includes a new operating model to support weekend parcel delivery.

The BC Coroners Service (BCCS) is urging residents to take precautions this summer as deaths linked to hiking, climbing, water sports, and motorcycles rise. Chief coroner Dr. Jatinder Baidwan said most of these fatalities are preventable.

Recreational drownings nearly doubled between March 1 and May 31 compared to the same period in 2025—nine people drowned in 2026, up from five in 2025. In 2025, 18% of BC drownings occurred on Vancouver Island, with lakes, ponds, and rivers being the most common locations. The BCCS recommends wearing a life jacket, avoiding alcohol while boating or swimming, and supervising children near water.

Motorcycle deaths nearly tripled over the same March-to-May window, rising from five in 2025 to 14 in 2026—the largest toll recorded in those three months in over a decade. Most recent motorcycle deaths were caused by collisions with animals and difficulty navigating curves.

Hiking- and climbing-related deaths, most commonly caused by falling, typically peak in July. The Island accounted for 14% of such deaths provincially, though most occurred in Squamish and North Vancouver. Men accounted for 73% of all hiking and climbing deaths in BC. The BCCS advises sticking to trails, avoiding steep edges, hiking within your skill set, and telling someone your plans and expected return.