Introduction: A Trusted Name in Canadian Shipping
For nearly five decades, Canpar Express has been woven into the fabric of Canadian commerce. Founded in 1976, the company has built its reputation on the reliable movement of small parcels across all ten provinces and into the continental United States . With a team of over 1,700 dedicated members and a robust network of more than 55 terminals—including major sort facilities in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver—Canpar has become a go-to choice for over 20,000 businesses, particularly in the e-commerce sector . Its 2002 acquisition by TFI International, a leader in Canada’s transportation industry, further solidified its resources and reach . For today’s online sellers and businesses, a critical question often arises: Can this dependable carrier meet the modern demand for weekend delivery? The answer is nuanced, blending a valuable premium option with important limitations.
The Reality of Weekend Delivery: Yes, But with Conditions
The direct answer is that Canpar does offer Saturday delivery, but it is not a standard, automatic service for every shipment. Instead, it is positioned as a premium, guaranteed service for those occasions when a weekend delivery is absolutely necessary . This service guarantees that your shipment will arrive by the end of the day on Saturday .
However, two major caveats define the practical reality of this service:
- It Must Be Purchased: The shipper (the person or business sending the package) must actively select and pay for the “Saturday Service” option at the time of creating the shipment . It is not applied by default. This places the onus on the sender to plan and pay for this expedited delivery.
- Limited Geographic Availability: Saturday delivery is not available everywhere. It is offered on a limited basis to selected postal codes, primarily within major metropolitan areas . Deliveries to rural or remote locations on a Saturday are highly unlikely.
It is also crucial to note that Canpar does not deliver on Sundays . Their operations, like those of many other national carriers, remain paused on Sundays.
Comparing Canpar’s Delivery Services
| Service Type | Delivery Days | Key Characteristics | Best For |
| Saturday Delivery | Saturday (Limited) | Premium, guaranteed service; must be selected and paid for extra; limited to select postal codes . | Urgent shipments that must arrive on the weekend. |
| Express/Select Services | Monday – Friday | Expedited, often next-day or 1-2 day delivery within Canada; guaranteed on-time delivery . | Time-sensitive business documents and urgent parcels. |
| Ground Service | Monday – Friday | Reliable and economical option; the workhorse for non-urgent shipments across Canada . | Standard e-commerce orders where cost-effectiveness is key. |
Reliable Weekday Operations: The Core of Canpar’s Service
Understanding Canpar’s weekend limitations requires a look at its robust weekday services, which form the backbone of its offerings. For the vast majority of shipments, businesses rely on Canpar’s dependable Monday-to-Friday operations.
- Ground Service: This is Canpar’s economical and trackable workhorse, ideal for reliable deliveries across Canada without the urgency of next-day delivery . It represents a balance of affordability and reliability.
- Select & Express Services: For time-sensitive shipments, Canpar offers expedited options. The Select service (including SelectLetter, SelectPak, and SelectParcel) is designed for rush shipments, often guaranteeing next-business-day delivery within a region and two business days across the country . The Express service further enhances this with guaranteed delivery for urgent shipments .
These services operate on standard business days only. The company’s infrastructure, including its drivers and hub-and-spoke system, is optimized for this Monday-to-Friday workflow, which handles the bulk of commercial shipping volume .
Strategic Advice for Shippers and Recipients
Navigating Canpar’s delivery schedule effectively requires a strategic approach. Whether you are a business owner trying to meet customer expectations or an individual awaiting a package, here is practical guidance:
- For Shippers: If a customer requires Saturday delivery, you must proactively choose the Saturday Service premium option in your MyCanpar portal or when purchasing the shipping label through your e-commerce platform . Be prepared for this to increase the shipping cost. Always check if the destination postal code is eligible for this service before promising it to your customer.
- For Recipients: If you are expecting a package and wonder about a Saturday arrival, manage your expectations. Unless the sender has explicitly told you they have paid for Saturday delivery, you should anticipate delivery on a weekday. Use the tracking number to monitor your package’s progress; the estimated delivery date provided by Canpar’s tracking system will reflect whether a Saturday delivery is scheduled.
For all parties, clear communication is key. Shippers should inform recipients if a premium weekend service has been purchased, and recipients should understand that standard shipping terms do not include weekends.
Weekend Delivery Service Options in a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Saturday Delivery | Available, but not standard |
| Sunday Delivery | No |
| Key Requirement | Shipper must select and pay for Saturday Service at checkout |
| Availability | Limited to select postal codes in Canada and ZIP codes in the U.S.; primarily urban areas |
| Service Type | Considered a premium or priority service |
Conclusion: A Tool for Specific Needs, Not a Standard Offering
In conclusion, Canpar provides a valuable specialized tool for Saturday delivery rather than a standard weekend operation. This premium service offers a solution for urgent, time-sensitive needs but comes with specific requirements: it must be selected and paid for by the shipper and is only available in certain areas. For the overwhelming majority of shipments, Canpar’s strength lies in its reliable and efficient Monday-to-Friday ground and express services, which effectively serve the core needs of Canadian businesses and consumers.
General FAQs regarding Canpar Services
1. What is a SMARTSpot?
Visit the SMARTSpot information page for more details.
2. If someone received a delivery attempt notice, what should they do now?
They can enter the delivery notice number (it will start with “W” and is located on the bottom right-hand side of the notice) into the tracking field on the website at “www.canpar.com”. It will provide the current status of the package and the pickup location. For further explanation or assistance, they may contact customer service at 1-800-387-9335 or click to contact Canpar.
3. Will a customer receive another delivery attempt the same day?
No, Canpar will only make one attempt per day.
4. Can Canpar estimate the delivery time for the next attempt?
No. Drivers have varying daily schedules; therefore, Canpar is unable to provide an estimated delivery time. If a guaranteed delivery time is required (either before 10am or before 12pm, available to select areas), these arrangements must be made with the sender prior to shipment.
5. If a parcel is currently held at a pick-up location, is there any opportunity for another delivery attempt?
No. Pick up locations are chosen to be the most convenient option to customers. Once at this address, the parcel will remain there for up to 5 business days.
6. Why does a customer have to go pick up a package when they already paid for delivery?
Canpar service allows for one attempt for delivery, and then the package is placed on hold for customer pick up at a convenient location in the area.
7. How can a customer get a parcel from the pickup location without a vehicle of their own?
Pick up locations are chosen to be local and accessible. Alternatively, someone else may pick up on the customer’s behalf as long as their ID matches the delivery address on the label. An Authorization Notice is available.
8. If someone just missed the driver and a delivery notice was left on the door, are they able to pick up the parcel immediately?
The package will be dropped at one of Canpar’s pick up locations by the driver. The delivery notice number (starts with a W) can be used to track the package on the website. Once the package has been dropped off, the address information will be available online. The package will be dropped off within 24 hours (Monday–Friday). The delivery notice must be brought upon pickup.
9. If a delivery notice states there will be a second attempt but the customer will not be home, can they request the parcel be held for pick up instead?
Yes. If the package offers a second attempt, arrangements may be made through Customer Service to hold the package at a Canpar terminal.
10. Is a customer able to redirect a delivery to a new address?
Yes. To redirect a package, the customer must contact Customer Service (by phone or email) to make the request. However, there may be restrictions from the sender that do not allow Canpar to redirect.
11. Can the driver call the customer before delivery?
No. Drivers are not provided with company cell phones, so this service is not available.
12. What happens if a customer wants their package left at the door?
In most cases, the customer may leave a signed note for the driver indicating where to leave the package. However, some packages require an in-person signature, in which case a signed note will not be sufficient. Packages also cannot be left unattended in apartment or condo buildings, even with authorization.
