How these Montreal letters will get a reply from Santa before Christmas amid Canada Post strike

As the Canada Post strike continues, the postal service had removed the deadline for its Santa Claus letter program saying that once operations resume, it will ensure that all letters make it to the North Pole and receive a reply — eventually.

So ho ho — the Montreal North borough reintroduce their “Letters to Santa” mailboxes where their elves will be working around the clock to ensure all will receive a reply from Saint Nicholas in time for the holidays.

“Dear Santa,” read Gemma Cardillo, who was delivering her letter to Santa on Tuesday morning. “I’m so so so excited for Christmas.”

This 7-year-old loves writing letters, especially to Santa.

It makes her feel…

“Happy,” said Gemma, smiling.

With the halting of mail service nationwide, Canada Post’s Santa Letter Program was also put on hold — an over 40-year-old tradition delivering up to 1.5 million letters from Canadian kids to the North Pole annually. 

The Montreal North community, is ready to deliver Santa’s mail themselves – an initiative actually in it’s fourth edition.  

“This year is really special because we know that children have something to ask to Santa, but with the Canada Post-Grève, the letter cannot be going to Santa’s house,” said Christine Black, mayor of Montreal North. “So we make this possible with all the employees of the Borough of Montreal-Nord.”

How it works?

• Mark your address in the top left corner of the envelope
• Include Santa’s address: with the HOH OHO postal code
• No stamp is needed, only Christmas magic  

Wishes – from the Montreal North community and beyond – could be mailed in front of the borough offices on Charleroi Street.

Or outside of la Maison culturelle et communautaire on Rolland Boulevard until 11 a.m. on Dec. 16^th.

“My daughter is super happy that she was able to mail her letter to Santa,” said Marlyn Triassi, Gemma’s mother. “It’s an authentic expression for them to get that response back.”

And Gemma is eager to receive the reply, saying she definitely made it on Santa’s nice list.

“I help Mommy do the dishes,” she said, laughing.

“All the children will have a response,” said Black. “We are really happy that the magic can continue.”

“Merry Christmas!”