Canada Post is encouraging people to communicate via pen and paper again

Canada Post has launched a program to encourage communication using hand-written letters rather than electronic messages. It’s an initiative that seems to be well received. The Crown corporation sent a blank postcard out to 13.5 million homes across the country in March. People are invited to send someone a little message. Canada Post will deliver the message to its recipient at no cost. “I love this idea to bring back the ‘hand-written,’ notes ... plus it saves/creates more jobs. It adds ‘human’ touch and breaks away a little bit of all this ‘online’ stuff,” Donna MacDonald posted on the Facebook Châteauguay Community - Communauté de Châteauguay page which she administers. A number of people applauded the initiative. “I sent one to my gramma who I haven’t been able to see since COVID started,” one lady said. Another replied, “I sent it to my dad that I don’t get to see as much. I hope he loves the surprise.” “I will surprise someone,” a man said. “I love giving and receiving cards; letters, etc. You can take them out anytime and read them again and again. It is more of a personal touch for me,” another person stated. Positive Reactions Where did this idea of offering people postcards come from? “In September of 2020 Canada Post launched a program called WritehereWritenow. Create a moment to encourage Canadians to pick up a pen and paper again. A means of communication that has become less and less popular,” explained Valérie Chartrand, spokesperson for the Crown corporation. “To encourage people to use letters to communicate Canada Post created a website to help people write. It includes a section offering inspiration, among other things. The initiative generated a lot of positive comments. The free postcard is an extension of this program,” Ms. Chartrand emphasized. (Translation Amanda Bennett)