Canpar, a TFI International company, is mainly a ground carrier (Ground, 1-4 business days per Canpar) with Select and Express on top. Purolator, about 91% owned by Canada Post, leads with next-day Express, including timed and evening options. For a parcel that is not urgent, compare Canpar Ground and Purolator Ground on the same route.
Two carriers, two owners
Canpar Express was founded in 1976 and has been part of TFI International since 2002. It describes itself as Canadian owned and operated, with more than 55 terminals and over 800 SMARTSpot locations for dropping off or picking up a parcel. Purolator is a subsidiary of Canada Post, which holds about 91% of it, but it runs its own network and its own rates.
They are two separate accounts: a rate negotiated with Canpar does not apply at Purolator, and the other way around.
Canpar vs Purolator: services compared
| Canpar | Purolator | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground service | Ground: Canada-wide, 1-4 business days | Ground: one business day or more, depending on destination |
| Mid tier | Select: 1-3 business days | — |
| Next day | Express: next day, guaranteed (speed listed: 1-2 business days) | Express: by end of the next business day to most destinations |
| Timed delivery | 10 AM and Noon options for certain Express services and destinations | Express 9AM, 10:30AM and 12PM in major cities; Ground 9AM and 10:30AM |
| Evening | — | Express Evening and Ground Evening: between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. |
| Saturday | Saturday option for certain Express services and destinations | Saturday Service option |
| Guarantee | Refund or credit when a qualifying Select, Express or Priority shipment is late | Express guaranteed; standard Ground not guaranteed (except Ground 9AM, 10:30AM and Evening) |
Canpar's day ranges are the speeds Canpar publishes, not a promise for every address: its Days in Transit calculator gives the time by postal code. At Canpar, the 10 AM, Noon and Saturday options must be marked on the waybill at pickup. At Purolator, timed options require an automated shipping system and cover select points only.
Which costs less?
The price depends on actual or dimensional weight, size, postal codes, service and your account discounts, and both add surcharges (fuel, remote area, options). So compare like with like: Canpar Ground against Purolator Ground for a parcel that is not urgent, Canpar Express against Purolator Express for next day.
Get both prices for the same packed parcel, the same postal codes and the same options, then compare the total with tax alongside the date offered.
How to choose
- Parcel that is not urgent, anywhere in Canada: compare Canpar Ground and Purolator Ground on your route.
- Next-day delivery before a set time in a city: look at Purolator Express 9AM, 10:30AM or 12PM, or Canpar Express 10 AM and Noon options if offered for the address.
- Recipient away during the day: Purolator offers evening delivery, between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- Need a guarantee: at Canpar pick Select or Express; at Purolator, Express or a timed Ground. Neither Canpar Ground nor standard Purolator Ground is among the guaranteed services.
- Saturday delivery: request the option when creating the shipment, with either carrier; it is not offered everywhere.
Official sources
- Canpar: shipping in Canada (Ground, Select, Express)
- Canpar: 2025 service guide
- Canpar: terms of service (guarantee)
- Canpar: about us
- Canpar: Days in Transit calculator
- Purolator: facts and history (ownership)
- Purolator: service guide
- Purolator: Express services
- Purolator: specialized services (Saturday Service)