Balzac residents and businesses will see changes to their mailing addresses and postal codes starting Oct. 17.
To ease delivery in the growth corridor surrounding Balzac, Canada Post is changing addresses for anyone living outside of the hamlet from Balzac, AB to Rocky View County, AB.
Mailing addresses will include rural residents’ numeric Emergency Services Addresses as the street number and name.
It is hoped that emergency services, such as police, ambulance and fire services, will be able to respond to critical situations quicker using the new addresses.
“It is really making us more effective in our delivery,” said Anicka Losier, Canada Post spokesperson. “Nobody likes change, but it is a change to make everything more efficient, whether it is emergency services or mail delivery.”
Postal codes will also be changing, with those living west of the Queen Elizabeth Highway having a T4B code, while those living on the east side will start with T4A.
Canada Post will give about 600 people living in the affected area, formerly with RR#1 and RR#2 Balzac addresses, up to one year to update their contacts and stationery.
A few community mailbox users will be moved to delivery in green group boxes closer to their address.
According to Rocky View County Councillor Lois Habberfield, who represents the area, several residents have expressed concern.
“Changes are coming and people aren’t really excited about them,” she said.
According to Losier, similar changes are occurring across the country to consolidate emergency services addresses with municipal addresses.
Residents concerned about their privacy can maintain it by renting a box at the nearest post office.
Currently, much of the area’s mail is being delivered by last name, a practice that is becoming difficult as more people move to the area. Rocky View County was first identified as a mailing location about four years ago.
