Some residents in Stettler will be getting a permanent change of address.
Canada Post has announced plans to retire town postal codes T0C 2L1 and T0C 2L2 effective May 13.
Town residents being affected by the change will transition to a new postal code beginning with the prefix T4K.
“The first three characters of the postal code, called the Forward Sortation Area (FSA), determine the geographical region,” said Valerie Chartrand, a Canada Post media relations person via email.
“The last three correspond to a local address range or to a large-volume receiver. For example, postal codes can identify addresses on one side of a street, those at a community mailbox, an apartment building, post office boxes and general delivery, or a company or government department.”
According to Chartrand, the number of residents served by a postal code can “vary greatly.”
Chartrand stated that Canada Post goes to “great lengths” not to change postal codes, but changes are sometimes required to accommodate changes in mail delivery routes and future municipal growth.
“In this instance, Canada Post needs to adjust delivery routes in the Stettler region to support growth in the community and improve delivery efficiencies, thereby creating a new postal code for customers,” said Chartrand.
“Affected customers received a letter in March to let them know a change was underway and a second letter earlier this month with further details on their new postal code.”
According to the release, the changes in Stettler will affect around 2,700 residents.
To assist residents with the change, Canada Post is providing free mail forwarding for 12 months to give residents time to get their addresses updated.
For more information regarding the change, contact Canada Post customer service online at canadapost.ca/support or by phone at 1-866-607-6301.