I write to you today to call for the reversal of the closure to the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) physical drop-boxes slated for May 29th, 2026. Shuttering these drop-boxes will jeopardize access to critical public infrastructure and pose specific harm to seniors, low-income families, unhoused individuals, and people with disabilities in Winnipeg.
May 26, 2026
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P.
Minister of National Revenue
Dear Minister Champagne,
I write to you today to call for the reversal of the closure to the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) physical drop-boxes slated for May 29th, 2026. Shuttering these drop-boxes will jeopardize access to critical public infrastructure and pose specific harm to seniors, low-income families, unhoused individuals, and people with disabilities in Winnipeg. With the ongoing closures of in-person CRA offices, the free drop-off boxes were one of the only remaining in-person services from the CRA. Community organizations have long been calling for CRA services to become more accessible, yet with the shuttering of drop-boxes, we are seeing the opposite.
For decades, CRA drop-boxes have served as a vital resource for those who file manual paper returns, allowing people to hand-deliver tax returns and payments without paying for postage. Since the closure of the drop-boxes was announced, I have heard from constituents, community leaders and experts that removing these services will create financial and digital barriers for the city's most vulnerable people who rely on these services to remain tax-compliant and receive essential federal benefits.
The CRA justifies this closure, citing a 78% decline in use since 2018, processing delays, and security concerns. While the CRA suggests that 93% of returns are now filed online, this fails to recognize the thousands of residents who still rely on manual paper returns. Many Winnipeggers do not own electronic devices, lack reliable internet, or struggle with digital literacy. Furthermore, some tasks simply cannot be done online; by law, certain documents, such as interest relief requests and complex adjustments, must be submitted on paper.
For those living on a low or fixed income, the transition from a free drop-off to paid mail will pose a significant financial challenge. For example, seniors often require filing complex returns that include multiple schedules and heavy medical receipts that are expensive to mail.
As we face a cost-of-living crisis, shuttering the free drop-boxes will mean that individuals struggling to make ends meet will be forced to add another expense to their already strained budget. Many community organizations across Canada provide support for low-income residents to file their yearly income tax returns and bridge access to critical benefits. Running on limited budgets and volunteers, they are already functioning at overcapacity. Organizations in my riding have reached out expressing concern that without free drop-boxes, they will either need to shoulder the cost of postage, creating an unsustainable financial burden for these organizations.
If the government expects residents to fulfill their responsibility to file taxes, the CRA has a reciprocal responsibility to provide accessible services. I urge you to reverse these closures to ensure that residents can access the critical public services provided by the CRA. I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Leah Gazan Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre
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