A sustainable transformation plan
Canada Post’s new Albert Jackson Processing Centre is the company’s largest and fastest parcel sorting facility and first zero-carbon building. Named after Albert Jackson, who is thought to be Canada’s first Black letter carrier, the facility also represents Canada Post’s commitment to equality and respect in the workplace. The ambitious project supports all three pillars of Canada Post’s transformation plan: expanding capacity and improving service, reducing environmental impacts, and enhancing the overall work experience for employees.
The processing centre has the capacity to sort more than 60,000 packages per hour, double the capacity of Canada Post’s next largest facility. With nearly eight kilometres of conveyors and 155 docking bay doors, packages can move through the facility from intake to dispatch in under 4 minutes.
The facility incorporates many sustainability features including a high-efficiency HVAC system and sensor-controlled lighting. It also includes rooftop solar panels – which provide a minimum of five percent of the building’s annual energy requirements, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for employee use and future electrification of Canada Post’s fleet vehicles. With its highly efficient design, the processing centre is recognized by the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) and is certified as a Zero-Carbon Building Design.
Employees working at the Albert Jackson Processing Centre have access to state-of-the-art wellness features. Ergonomic workspaces, a fitness centre, gender-neutral washrooms, a multifaith room and six fully-enclosed rest pods are available on-site. All employees working at the facility can use these amenities to support their health and wellbeing at work.
Quick Facts
The processing centre is Canada Post’s largest and fastest parcel sorting facility and first zero-carbon building.
The building is 585,000 sq. ft. – about the size of six CFL football fields.
The Albert Jackson Processing Centre is capable of processing more than one million packages per day.
Designed to support economic growth
Canada Post engaged our team to provide comprehensive project management services throughout the planning, design, construction and closeout phases of the project.
Acting as the owner’s representative, we engaged with several collaborators to deliver this complex facility. Our team also liaised with a compliance consultant and Canada Post to develop the owner’s statement of requirements and site plan application documentation. During the design and construction phases, our team provided schedule, risk and change management services, while working closely with both Canada Post and the Design-Builder to ensure the design and execution met Canada Post’s requirements for sustainability, employee wellbeing, and end-use needs for the equipment installations.
Canada Post officially opened its Albert Jackson Processing Centre in September 2023. The $470 million state-of-the-art facility is helping the corporation meet Canada’s shipping needs as online shopping continues to drive growth in the industry.
Beyond its technical achievements, the Albert Jackson Processing Centre represents Canada Post’s commitment to empowering a diverse workforce. In the past, employees, including Albert Jackson, faced workplace barriers. With support from Toronto’s Black community, Albert Jackson won the right to maintain his role, which he held for 36 years. The new processing centre is intended to honour, share and preserve his legacy, reminding Canadians of the importance of equality and respect in the workplace.
